National stadium
Spectators: 10300 (Terracing: 7725,
Seating: 2369, VIP seats: 206) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Igor Milko made the kick off which started today's match. Emil Cvitanović showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Vyacheslav Chaban in the 6th minute of the match. When Nikola Vlašić came up free with the goalie in the 7th minute, the Croatia fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Nikola Vlašić couldn't finish the play. Vyacheslav Chaban's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Emil Cvitanović read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 8th minute of play. Nikola Vlašić could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 12th minute of the match, but Vitaliy Vischak made a huge save. When Croatia's Nikola Vlašić in the 15th minute got a chance for a shot 15th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Ukraine's goalie prevented a goal. In the 19th match minute, Croatia was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Vedran Ćesić to maneuver through the defense. 22 minutes into the game, Nikola Vlašić recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of Vitaliy Vischak. Nikola Vlašić showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 1-0. Nikola Vlašić could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 25th minute of the match, but Vitaliy Vischak made a huge save. 28 minutes into the match, Ukraine's goalkeeper Vitaliy Vischak had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Nikola Vlašić. When Nikola Vlašić came up free with the goalie in the 30th minute, the Croatia fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Nikola Vlašić couldn't finish the play. In the 32nd minute the ball was on its way in behind Ukraine's goalkeeper Vitaliy Vischak, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Vitaliy Vischak made an important save on a dangerous shot by Luka Mata in the 34th minute. Nikola Vlašićs short, quick shot in the 35thth minute got Vitaliy Vischak to make great effort and bar the ball away from getting in. Croatia were furious when Toni Gojak was red carded, 37 minutes into the game, but the referee dismissed their protests. After having played for 41 minutes, Luka Mata managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Croatia's supporters crossed their fingers, but Luka Mata was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. The supporters of Croatia booed when Ukraine was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 42 match minutes in a wonderful position. Vyacheslav Chaban didn't get a good kick on the ball. Vitaliy Vischak made a fantastic save in the 43rd minute, when Nikola Vlašić sent off a good shot on target. After the first half the score was level. The break gave the players a chance to catch their breath, whilst the managers went over the tactics with them again.
Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Joško Poklepović to make the kick off. Vitaliy Vischak showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Joško Poklepović, who was totally free with the ball in the 53rd minute. Emil Cvitanović showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Vyacheslav Chaban in the 56th minute of the match. An unexpectedly hard shot by Vyacheslav Chaban in the 59th minute of play forced Croatia's goalkeeper Emil Cvitanović to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. The audience was convinced that Joško Poklepović's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Vitaliy Vischak was relentless in the 60th minute of the game. Igor Milko sent away a hard shot on goal in the 65th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Croatia made a substitution. Nikola Haramina replaced Miran Tudor. When the match clock showed 68 minutes, the score became 2-1 when Joško Poklepović sped through Ukraine's defense and sent away a curving shot that went into the net to the right of Vitaliy Vischak. Ukraine's Gennadiy Yereschenko was substituted for Igor Milko. Emil Cvitanović made a fantastic save in the 78th minute, when Gennadiy Yereschenko sent off a good shot on target. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Gennadiy Yereschenko in the 80th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Emil Cvitanović prevented the ball from getting in the gole. In the 82nd minute, Joško Poklepović ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Vitaliy Vischak was frozen by the shot and now it was 3-1. Vitaliy Vischak didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Joško Poklepović went, in the 87th minute, to the upper right corner, 4-1 was the resulting score. In the 92nd minute, Vedran Ćesić hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. 96 minutes into the game, Kostyantyn Rudnytskyi was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Ukraine's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Croatia the free kick. The supporters of Croatia booed when Ukraine was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 97 match minutes in a wonderful position. Kostyantyn Rudnytskyi didn't get a good kick on the ball. Croatia's supporters were highly satisfied with the result. They cheered their team of the pitch, having watched them win a very even match.
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