Pos. |
Team |
GP |
W |
T |
L |
GF |
GA |
Points |
1. |
Bulgaria | 1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
17 |
2. |
Croatia | 1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
16 |
3. |
Belgium | 1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
16 |
4. |
Estonia | 1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
8 |
5. |
Andorra | 0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Croatia started a new qualifying adventure, this time for the place in the World Cup finals in Japan and South Korea 2002. First game was against Belgium which was just two months earlier kicked out of Euro 2000 on their home ground against Turkey. Their were anxious to prove themselves after their disaster in Euro 2000. Croatia on the other side hoped that exactly because of that shock in Euro 2000 Belgium will not be able to play good. But Belgium showed that Euro 2000 is history and that they are now completely focused on-World Cup 2002. They didn't overpower Croatia too much but the difference was still obviuos. The only player on Croatia's side who was playing great as usual was young 21-year old star Stipe Pletikosa of Hajduk Split who one more time proved his world class potential. Reactions to the match in Croatian newspapers were different but they somehow agreed that with a lot of work and determination this team can go to Japan and Korea. National team coach Miroslav Blaşevi¿ is still supported by his players and Croatian Football Federation but there is just too many things in Croatia's game that are not working, especially the midfield which underwent some major changes. Lets just hope that the players will give their best and qualify for the Japan and Korea so we could all again enjoy watching the team that made historic performance in their first World Cup.
Still has a job after the game against Belgium,
but for how long?
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