Coleman praises team’s performance during 2-1 defeat to Croatia

Wales’ manager Chris Coleman expressed the delight as regards the performance delivered by his players during disappointing 2-1 defeat to Croatia.

Gareth Bale’s penalty put the hosts in front in the 21st minute. However the goal from Lovren cancelled Wales’ advantage, while Eduardo brought his team a 2-1 victory in the added time. The defeat means Wales lost any hopes of qualifying to the 2014 World Cup, being 10 points behind second-placed Croatia with 4 games to go.

Chris Coleman tried to put a good face on the matter, stating he was happy with team’s display despite the dissatisfying result. He said: “We were nearly there and we could have gone in at half-time two or three goals up, we had some real good chances, but we could not get that elusive second goal. Nevertheless we were 1-0 up and full of confidence, but we sat back and tried to hang on to it a bit soon maybe and invited them on.

“But they are a great team, a really good team, and you can see why they are in the top 10 in the rankings. Boaz Myhill made some great saves and we thought it might be our night, but you don’t expect a centre-half to score a goal like that. It was soul destroying for us. We looked tired and then they got the winner late on when we had probably earned a draw. We needed the three points tonight if we were going to do anything in the group and give us an outside chance really. We are not going to qualify now. But we can’t ask for any more from our guys, we can’t. We gave what we had. The second game in a 10-day block is always a tough one physically because it is an intense group. But I can’t ask for more from our lads, they gave it their best,” he added.