Croatia cruise to success away to Ukraine
Monday, September 9, 2013
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Ukraine 0-2 Croatia
Ante Rebić and Marcelo Brozović scored early on to set Niko Kovač's visitors on course for three points that maintains their 100% start.
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Croatia's impressive start to Group 5 continued as a pair of early goals helped Niko Kovač's side to a comfortable win in Lviv.
Ante Rebić broke the deadlock on 14 minutes and Marcelo Brozović quickly made it 2-0 as the visitors made it two wins from two in UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying; they are yet to concede. Ukraine offered little in what was their opening game and must respond when they visit Latvia on 14 October.
Croatia started brightly, opening up with a series of rapid, probing attacks. It was no surprise when they went ahead in the 16th minute as Mateo Kovačić found Rebić with a fine long pass and the No9 shrugged off his defender to fire into the net. Goalscorer then turned provider, slipping through into the path of Brozović who made no mistake.
Rebić struck the crossbar on the stroke of half-time as Croatia continued to run the show. Ukraine offered little of substance after the break and only good work from Artur Denchuk prevented Josip Radošević from making it three. Yet two were more than enough.