Last-gasp Glasovic sends Croatia through
Saturday, March 19, 2005
Article summary
Croatia 2-1 Portugal Stipe Glasovic's goal sealed Croatia's finals place and knocked out the 2003 champions.
Article body
Stipe Glasovic's lasp-gasp goal ensured Croatia defeated Portugal 2-1 in Makarska on Saturday to finish top of UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualifying Group 3 and secure their place in the finals in Italy this May.
Hungary help
Croatia had to better group rivals Ukraine's result in the final round of matches to progress, and they did just that thanks to Hungary who held Ukraine to a goalless draw.
Portugal equaliser
Dejan Lovren put Croatia in front in the 32nd minute but Portugal, the 2003 champions, equalised through Daniel Carico Martins with five minutes to play and seemed to have done for the hosts' chances. But Glasovic had other ideas, and scored the winner in added time to seal Croatia's passage to the finals.
'Excellent result'
"It's an excellent result. This is confirmation that our youth development system is working well," said Martin Novoselac, director of Croatia's national youth teams.