Croatia’s Luka Modric (in pic,extreme right) sent Austrian goalkeeper Jurgen Macho the wrong way with the penalty, leading to the fans lighting a flare to celebrate, writes Mike McGrath.
Fabio Capello, the England coach, had a glimpse of what to expect next season as Luka Modric got Croatia’s Euro 2008 campaign off to a winning start against Austria.
Capello was at Vienna’s Ernst Happel Stadium to watch the team that knocked England out in the qualifying stage — and the two teams will meet again in the World Cup qualifiers.
There were some shaky moments in the second-half for Slaven Bilic’s Croatian side but they held on after Modric, Tottenham’s £16.5 million summer signing, had tucked away a fourth-minute penalty.
It was not the type of fluent performance that put England out in Zagreb and at Wembley, with Croatia missing the edge of Eduardo in attack following his sickening ankle injury.
Another reminder of those England matches came from former boss Steve McClaren working as a BBC pundit for the Group B opener.
McClaren admitted it was “excruciating” to watch the build-up, particularly with the atmosphere generated by the Croatian fans swarming around Austria’s capital.
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 late for duty.
Paul Scharner, one of their most high-profile players, chose not to play for his country and there was even an online petition to protest against the state of the national team.
Hickersberger had not even picked his first-choice goalkeeper before 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 Croatian striker’s run.
Modric sent Macho the wrong way with the penalty, leading to the 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 to be in control.
Emanuel Pogatetz was booked for protesting against the penalty and he was lucky not to see red when he clashed with Olic after the Croatian forward outpaced him and then embarrassed him with a nutmeg in the corner.
Mladen Petric should have doubled the lead but blazed over with a volley when he was unmarked at the far post. Just before the break, Joachim Standfest headed over for Austria from a similar position at the other end.
It gave Austria confidence heading into the second-half and they flashed a couple of dangerous crosses in front of Pletikosa’s goal.
Modric did the same for Croatia, but the hosts managed to ward off any danger.
The new Spurs recruit saw plenty of the ball but was guilty of a few stray passes as well as being out-muscled as Austria attempted to flood the midfield.
Austria brought on their playmaker, veteran Ivica Vastic, who at 38 is the oldest player in the tournament. But they could not find the equaliser despite pressure from the flanks and Pletikosa flapping at crosses.
Martin Harnik also flashed over when he had a glimpse of goal, while Vastic forced a save with a powerful header from the edge of the area. They also had a penalty appeal turned down when the ball struck Dario Knezevic.
Umit Korkmaz had a long-range effort saved and Roman Kienast headed wide in stoppage time.
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