Captain fight to retirement

Against Turkey on behalf of the Croatian national team captain Darijo Srna the first 80 games, figures to end there.

    Before the game, Kovacs announced that he would quit the national team after the current European Cup, but he does not want Turkey to become his national team career game last game, "This may be my last battle on behalf of Croatia, But let us pray this will not be true. I have a feeling we will win more, more than a quarter-finals. "

    In December 1996, Kovacs staged a national team debut, after the World Cup in 2002,2006 and 2004 participated in three European Cup competitions. But Croatia are third in the group three times out. After Euro 2004 he became captain in the 12-year national team career, Kovacs has been battle for the country 79 times, scoring 14 goals. And his fourth contest, Croatia and finally achieved a breakthrough in the group stage, three straight victories last eight.

    This field, as the oldest player audience, Darijo Srna scraping and willpower favorably with any field player. 13 minutes to get each other kick opportunities, large Altintop strong shot, Kovacs first block out from the wall in the shot, the ball is hit with a strong force of his ribs, he fell to the ground in pain, But a moment later he stood up and continued to battle.

    Game, his experience has also been reflected. 32 minutes, breaking through the Karachay Cole tried to enter the restricted area after Lucas, Kovacs stuck a lot of experience from the side of the body position, outside the area to be out. He also often uses foul to stop the other side of the fast attack, the first 13 minutes of each other kick opportunity that is closed after one minute he was top of the key defensive foul, the ball caused when pedaling Nihat.

    However, due to Turkey's midfield running and closing down the same positive, coupled with high temperatures, Kovacs is in the running time was very difficult, after all, already 37 years old. So, occasionally in the backcourt defense is not in place, making each other often get long-range opportunities. The first 4 minutes and 37 minutes, large Altintop Tuo Paer's long-range are tested goalkeeper Pletikosa, especially when long-range Tuopa Er unguarded around about five meters, which makes Pulai Di Xhosa furious.

    The second half both sides have been deadlocked, did not get the chance. The game into extra-time Croatia's physical decline further, especially in Kovac's fitness to be tested further, he led the team with tenacious willpower persevered. Unfortunately, the dramatic final two minutes of the game situation and the missed penalty shootout, making Croatia eventually lost the game.

    The old captain, unfortunately, the field eventually became his final performance in the national team, and this result will undoubtedly be deeply grieved.