CROATIA PIN HOPES ON 4-MAN DEFENCE

Coach relieved after they struggle to beat minnows Faroe Islands for World Cup spot

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RIJEKA - Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic was a relieved man as his side booked their ticket to the 2026 World Cup with an unconvincing 3-1 win over the inform Faroe Islands on Nov 14, while the Netherlands all but secured their spot in the Finals too.

"Another World Cup, congratulations to the boys and thank you to everyone who supported us. It was a tough match, but in the end, we won and relaxed," said Dalic.

"We were under pressure for three or four months, but we resolved it and we move on. We did not open well today, we made a lot of mistakes. The Faroe Islands are a very difficult team that runs a lot and is aggressive.

"All the successes we've had were achieved with four players on the backline. We won't play with three any more, anyone can say whatever they want. That doesn't suit us, it takes a long time to get going. I know what made me a coach."

After Geza David Turi had given the islanders a shock lead, strikes from Josko Gvardiol, Petar Musa and Nikola Vlasic in Rijeka handed 2018 World Cup runners-up Croatia their ticket to the Finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico.