Croatia proud of World Cup third place, expect bright future

DOHA, Dec 17 (Reuters) – Croatia ended their World Cup marketing campaign with the delight of claiming third place in a 2-1 win towards Morocco, which marked the top of a journey but additionally promised a shiny future, coach Zlatko Dalic stated on Saturday.

Croatia, runners-up in 2018, prevailed with targets by Josko Gvardiol and Mislav Orsic to finish their World Cup on a excessive as Luka Modric presumably bid farewell to the soccer extravaganza.

Croatia beat Brazil within the quarter-finals, however for Dalic, Saturday’s bronze medal recreation was the spotlight of their event.

“In any case, the final match we performed. For those who keep in mind, I had stated if we had misplaced, it will have been a catastrophe,” stated Dalic, who paid tribute to former Serbia midfielder Sinisa Mihajlovic after his loss of life on Friday.

“It was a tough, nice match. I wish to prolong my congratulations to Morocco, they put up a terrific battle till the final minute, regardless of the fatigue.

“They are often proud, they remind me of us 4 years in the past. We’re among the many finest groups on the earth.”

Croatia can now sit up for the longer term with confidence.

“It is the top of a cycle for us, the top of a journey. Tonight’s match and the win is the second of the event for us,” stated Dalic.

“Sure that is the final World Cup for a few of my gamers right this moment attributable to their age. However we’ve got younger gamers within the group and it’s nice for Croatia,” he added, referring to man of the match Josko Gvardiol, but additionally Lovro Majer and Borna Sosa.

“We’ve most of the gamers on the bench, too.”

Dalic, nonetheless, remains to be relying on his previous guard for the Nations League and the Euro 2024 qualifiers.

“We might not have been that far with out our older gamers. We’ve a terrific future, Croatia has nothing to worry. Is it the top of an period for a technology? Effectively, we nonetheless have the Nations League and the Euro qualifiers. All I do know is that Croatia have a shiny future.”

Croatia certified for the Nations League last 4 to be performed in June with Italy, Spain and the Netherlands.

Reporting by Julien Pretot;
Enhancing by Andrew Cawthorne

Our Requirements: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.