FRANCE 98 – Match Summary n°11
Croatia shook off a spirited Jamaica here on Sunday but the West Indians still enjoyed their World Cup debut. A brilliant individual effort by Robert Prosinecki set up Croatia for what in the end was a comfortable 3-1 victory in their opening Group H match.
Jamaica’s Brazilian coach Rene Simoes had no doubts Croatia earned their victory. ” I think today the best team won, “ he said. But he was still pleased. ” I thought the result was OK. Jamaica never lose. Jamaica are always the winners because we learn, so that’s very good,” he added.
” We tried to win the game, but we conceded two bad goals. The second goal was really tough for us because it came so early in the half. But I’m proud of what the team did. There are two more games – let’s play those and try and qualify, “ Simoes added.
Stunned by the Reggae Boyz’ last-gasp equaliser at the end of the first half the Croatians immediately picked up the pace at the restart and after six minutes the 29-year-old Prosinecki had put them back in the lead. From a free kick on the edge of the area, the Croatia Zagreb star fooled the two-man wall by pretending to shoot. Instead he pulled the ball back, drifted left and floated in a shot that left Jamaica’s veteran goalkeeper Warren Barrett grasping at thin air to make it 2-1.
It was a killer blow for Jamaica who had used up all their luck to equalise once. Croatia had gone in front in the 27th minute when Mario Stanic smashed home a close-range shot that left Barrett, playing his 117th international, no chance. After being on the receiving end for most of the half, Wimbledon’s Robbie Earl headed home for his first international goal in the 45th minute to give Jamaica new hope.
But it was false hope as Croatia stepped up the pace in the second half. Croatia put the match beyond doubt in the 69th minute when Real Madrid star Davor Suker showed why he is one of the most feared strikers in Europe. The 30-year-old got himself behind the Jamaican defence and when the ball came to him he made no mistake with a left-footed shot that got a deflection off Ricardo Gardener. It was half a chance but Stuker took it in a flash to score his 30th goal in 35 internationals.
” I’m satisfied with his performance. The Croatians played like the Brazilians and they have great skill and talent. They play well as a team and have a good sense of when to counter attack, “ Simoes said.” They are simply a great side and it is not a real setback to lose to a better team, “ he added.
Deon Burton, one of Jamaica’s English based players, did get the ball in the net a minute after Prosinecki’s goal but the linesman’s flag was waving offside before the ball had crossed the line. Croatia had threatened to overwhelm Jamaica in the opening 45 minutes and had enough chances to put the game out of reach before Earl’s equaliser. Stanic broke on the left before crossing to defender Zvonimir Soldo whose shot came crashing back off the underside of the bar with Barrett nowhere. Minutes later only a great save by Barrett denied Suker after a Slaven Bilic header found him all alone on the left. Jamaica had only two clear chances – Earl’s goal, and a header from Peter Cargill that was headed off the line by Dario Simic.
Croatia coach Miroslav Blazevic said: ” We won tonight because we were a bit more experienced and I know this might sound a little pretentious, but with all due respect to Jamaica, we were just the better side. There were four very good goals and on both sides a lot of constructive play. I’m very happy about the result because I was worried about the game against Jamaica. “
Of Jamaica’s equaliser on the stroke of half-time, he added: ” Obviously it was a really big psychological shock. What I asked themto do was to push up more because our counter attacks were not quick enough to take them by surprise. And when I sent them out of the dressing room for the second half I said they might as well not come back in if they haven’t earned all three points. “