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Qualifying round - 14 October 2009 17:30 (CET) (21:30 local time) - Astana Arena - Astana - Kazakhstan
KazakhstanCroatia
Kazakhstan1 - 2
Croatia
Khizhnichenko 26 Vukojević 10, Kranjčar 90+ 3

Croatia bow out with a win

Wednesday 14 October 2009
Match report
Niko Kranjčar (left) scored the winning goalNiko Kranjčar (left) scored the winning goal (©Getty Images)Photos/WallpapersPhotos/Wallpapers »

Croatia concluded their Group 6 campaign by claiming a 2-1 victory away to Kazakhstan which ultimately proved meaningless as Ukraine won in Andorra to secure second place and a FIFA World Cup play-off spot.

Out of contention
Croatia knew they were effectively out of the running for South Africa on Saturday when Ukraine beat pool winners England. However, they still started brightly and took the lead after ten minutes when two Ukraine-based players combined for the opener – FC Shakhtar Donetsk captain Darijo Srna crossing for the unmarked FC Dynamo Kyiv midfielder Ognjen Vukojević to head in.

Kranjčar winner
Kazakhstan drew level through Sergey Khizhnichenko 16 minutes later, the 18-year-old reacting well to turn in Evgeni Averchenko's cross for his third goal in four international appearances. Ivan Rakitić and Mate Bilić hit the woodwork as Croatia stepped up the tempo while home goalkeeper Aleksandr Mokin was equal to everything thrown at him until being beaten by a fine strike from Niko Kranjčar three minutes into added time.

 

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