ZAGREB (Reuters) - Croatia stayed on course to qualify for
the Euro 2008 finals and extended their unbeaten home run to 32 competitive
matches after a 0-0 draw with Russia in their Group E qualifier on Wednesday.
The Croatians, who have never lost a European Championship or World Cup
qualifier at home, top the group with 17 points from seven matches, ahead
on goal difference of Israel who have played a game more.
Third-placed Russia, on 15 points from seven games, and England, in fourth
on 14 from seven, are also very much in the hunt ahead of what Russia's
coach Guus Hiddink believes will be their crucial double-header in September
and October.
"That's when this tight group will be decided and hopefully we will
be able to perform well and get the results we need against England,"
he told Croatian television after seeing his team hang on against a more
adventurous home side.
"We are happy with the outcome here because very few teams have been
able to get a result against a top quality Croatia side in Zagreb and
the performance will also give us a lot of confidence," he said.
Croatia had the Russians on the back foot for long spells but resolute
defending from the visitors and a good save from their keeper Vyacheslav
Malafeyev in the closing stages denied the hosts a sixth successive win
in the group.
After a dour first half, Croatia twice came close in the space of a minute
near the hour mark when Eduardo da Silva saw his shot into en empty net
charged down and Josip Simunic's looping header came off the crossbar.
Croatia, unable to break through a packed Russian midfield and carve out
clear-cut chances, pressed on with long balls in search of a winner and
almost got it when Malafaeyev parried Petric's fierce shot and then scrambled
the ball off the line.
The home team's coach Slaven Bilic was pleased with the performance but
rued a missed chance to pull clear of Croatia's rivals at the top of the
group.
"We did everything but score, the lads did a great
job and played their hearts out but it wasn't enough against a defensive
Russian side," he said.
"It's a pity we didn't put them away because we were the better side
but the outcome still leaves us in a great position to qualify. It will
be a very interesting run-in though."
Croatia's next match is at home to Estonia on September 8, when Russia
host Macedonia while England entertain Israel.
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07/06/2007
Russian ladies dream about happy marriage.
Click on a photo...
