Modric penalty enough for Croatia

12 April 2012

England boss Fabio Capello was given a glimpse of what to expect next season as Luka Modric got Croatia's Euro 2008 campaign off to a winning start in the 1-0 victory over Austria.

Capello was at Vienna's Ernst Happel Stadium to watch the team that knocked England out at the qualifying stage - and they will meet again as they try to reach the next World Cup.

Encouragement for Capello came from some shaky moments in the second half for Slaven Bilic's side but they held on after Modric, Tottenham's £16.5million summer signing, had tucked away a fourth-minute penalty.

Even without Eduardo, Bilic still has enough talent at his disposal and has forged a strong team spirit.

In contrast, the co-hosts have been given little chance in the tournament they are staging with Switzerland, and their preparations have been disrupted by coach Josef Hickersberger's anger at players turning up for duty late.

Hickersberger had not even picked his first-choice goalkeeper ahead of the tournament. In the end he went with ex-Chelsea stopper Jurgen Macho ahead of Alex Manninger, and his first job was to get the ball out of the net when Modric netted from the penalty spot.

Modric slipped the ball inside to Ivica Olic on the left channel, and referee Pieter Vink pointed to the spot when Rene Aufhauser blocked the run of the Croatia striker.

Modric sent Macho the wrong way with the penalty, leading to Croatia fans lighting a flare to celebrate, which UEFA may look at.

Jurgen Saumel and Sebastian Prodl tried their luck from long range for Austria but neither efforts tested goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa and Croatia appeared in control.

Emanuel Pogatetz had been booked for protesting the penalty and he was lucky not to see red when he clashed with Olic after the Croatia forward outpaced him, then embarrassed him with a nutmeg in the corner.

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