Croats nearly there after Turkey shoot

CROATIA all but guaranteed themselves a place at Euro 2012 after hammering hosts Turkey in the first leg of their play-off at the Ataturk Stadium last night.

Ivica Olic gave Slaven Bilic’s side the perfect start when he turned home Vedran Corluka’s cross from close range with just two minutes on the clock.

Mario Mandzukic doubled the lead half an hour later when he nodded past the flailing Volkan Demirel at the far post, before Corluka completed the scoring in the 51st minute with only his second international goal.

Croatia’s dominance started early and they were ahead from the first meaningful attack of the match.

After winning a free-kick and spreading play to the left, Corluka broke away and found space on the flank.

His low cross along the six-yard line found Demirel indecisive and the ball was merely diverted on its way through to the waiting Olic, who tapped into an empty net.

There was no let-up from Croatia, with Ivan Rakitic missing from long range as he attempted to find a second in the 13th minute.

Play settled into a scrappier style until Olic popped up again on the half hour, drawing a save from Demirel with a 12-yard strike. Demirel was helpless two minutes later as Mandzukic made it 2-0.

Luka Modric first saw his low drive charged down but collected the loose ball and fed it to Olic on the right. He lofted a cross to the far post where Mandzukic was perfectly placed to head the ball across goal and over the line.

Olic had a glorious opportunity for his second of the night on the stroke of half-time after Mandzukic drew three defenders with a jinking run only to lay the ball off to his team-mate.

Olic’s first touch for once let him down, giving Demirel time to charge down the shot.

If the hosts regrouped at half-time it counted for little as Croatia’s third came six minutes after the restart.

Domagoj Vida won a free-kick on the right and Srna was on hand to deliver a fine cross into the danger area.

Corluka made light work of shaking off Burak Yilmaz and powered a free header into the centre of goal.

An immediate response was now needed and Croatia goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa almost gave them one when he fumbled Arda Turan’s cross only for Josip Simunic to clear.

Modric looked the most likely to create a fourth goal as he made plenty of space in the centre of the park, but Turkey had nobody capable of finding a killer ball.

The Croats are now massive favourites to reach the finals.

TURKEY: Demirel, Gonul (Tore 46), Kacar, Korkmaz, Balta, Sarioglu, Inan (Topal 69), Belozoglu, Hamit Altintop, Yilmaz (Bulat 81), Turan.

CROATIA: Pletikosa, Corluka, Schildenfeld, Simunic, Vida, Srna, Dujmovic, Rakitic (Pranjic 83), Modric, Olic (Jelavic 85), Mandzukic (Eduardo 90).

Referee: Felix Brych (Germany) .