Nikica Jelavic’s 58th minute goal gives Croatia a 1-0 win over Australia in friendly match

JUST maybe, there’s hope. Australia will head into the World Cup beaten but unbowed after a 1-0 defeat to Croatia that offered much to be encouraged by.

SALVADOR, BRAZIL - JUNE 06: Nikica Jelavic of Croatia celebrates scoring a goal during the International Friendly match between Croatia and the Australian Socceroos at Pituacu Stadium on June 6, 2014 in Salvador, Brazil. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

JUST maybe, there’s hope. Australia will head into the World Cup beaten but unbowed after a 1-0 defeat to Croatia that offered much to be encouraged by.

A second half goal from Hull City striker Nikica Jelavic, once a teammate of Tim Cahill at Everton, showed the Socceroos how a moment of quality can ruin the best-laid plans.

But against a side ranked more than 40 places above them, there were signs throughout that Ange Postecoglou’s intensive training of the past three weeks is bearing fruit.

If the lack of a cutting edge was still a concern, certainly in the context of their last appearance the Socceroos could take an exponentially greater sense of satisfaction, for all that the gentle tempo signalled that this was just shadow boxing.

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Nikica Jelavic of Croatia scores a goal past Socceroos goal-keeper Mat Ryan.)

There was structure, composure and intelligent use of the ball from much of the Australian side, even if in Croatia they had an opponent prepared to sit and probe.

The Croats play Brazil in the World Cup’s opening game and their cautious game plan was clearly in rehearsal.

The Socceroos tried to disturb their calm with a series of challenges that infuriated the Croatians – Tim Cahill in the opening seconds flattened first Domagoj Vida and then Darijo Srna, and soon Croatian coach Niko Kovac was gesturing to the Australians to calm things.

But there was also a far more pleasing aspect to the Socceroos on display as they moved the ball with assurance – though rarely making a dangerous impression on the opposition defence.

Plenty to ponder.

One sumptuous turn and raking pass from Tommy Oar gave Jason Davidson space for an unrequited cross, before Croatia broke and Jelovic burnt Alex Wilkinson for pace. The resultant low cross was struck powerfully by Eduardo, but Mat Ryan showed athleticism to turn it away.

Seconds later an Croatia were fuming after a tackle by Ivan Franjic left Daniejl Pranjic in agony, soon to be carried off with an ominous looking ankle injury.

Franjic received no punishment though, and the pace slackened off as Croatia retreated further into their shell, as if fearing further injuries.

Mat Ryan of the Socceroos clears the ball over Ivan Franjic.

Bu there was time right on halftime for Srna to produce a dipping cross that Wilkinson did well to head clear facing his own goal.

As the second half began Australia had every right to feel quietly pleased with their endeavours – though Mile Jedinak of all people was guilty of a cheap foul on Eduardo, giving Srna the chance to curl a freekick narrowly wide.

All of wehich made it all the more galling for Postecoglou when Jelavic scored a minute short of the hour. If there was an element of luck in the way Luka Modric’s mazy run and pass was blocked but flew across the box to Jelavic, the Hull City striker’s shot from 12m was instant and flew in off the bar.

Tim Cahill controls a ball.

Still the tetchiness was there, and after several wild challenges went unpunished Mario Mandzukic was booked for a hack on the substitute Ben Halloran.

Tommy Oar’s resultant freekick almost embarrassed Stipe Pletikosa, the Croatian keeper pushing the ball onto the post and away at the last second.

With 68 minutes gone there was the encouraging sign of Mark Bresciano returning to the fray after his back injury, then James Holland replaced Mile Jedinak as Postecoglou rotated his options from the bench.

Ivica Olic stung Ryan’s palms with a long-range drive, just after Halloran had squandered a rare opening for Australia with a clumsy piece of miscontrol on the byline.

More substitutions followed – Matt Mckay and James Troisi on for Tommy Oar and Mark Milligan – with Troisi quickly winning a freekick, that Wilkinson headed wide from Bresciano’s delivery.

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Originally published as Nikica Jelavic’s 58th minute goal gives Croatia a 1-0 win over Australia in friendly match