Croatia survive Scottish siege

By Craig Swan in Edinburgh

Garry O'Connor grabbed an early strike to give Scotland victory on the night - but it was Croatia who advanced to next summer's UEFA European Under-21 Championship finals after a stout defensive display.

Visitors celebrating
The Hibernian FC striker scored on his home ground to give Rainer Bonhof's side a thoroughly deserved second-leg victory at Easter Road. However, it was the visitors who were celebrating at the end after the two-goal cushion from Sunday's first leg in Varazdin carried them through as 2-1 aggregate winners.

Rode their luck
Martin Novosalec's Croatia side rode their luck at times in the face of a Scottish onslaught. Scotland needed a flying start and Brian Kerr hit a post with 20-metre drive before O'Connor headed the young Scots into the lead after ten minutes with a deft flick from a pinpoint Steven Hammell cross.

Crucial save
Scotland were flying and the tie was back on a knife edge, but, slowly, Croatia began to get a foothold in the contest and stem the tide of attacks. Still, they needed a superb save from goalkeeper Tomislav Vranjic to maintain their aggregate lead on the stroke of half-time when he made a great block to deny Peter Canero. The save proved crucial at the end.

High tempo
Scotland maintained their high tempo after the restart, but Croatia remained dogged and Bonhof's side simply could not break through. Kerr missed a golden chance midway through the second period when somehow he shot wide from close range after collecting a wayward Shaun Maloney drive.

Chance had gone
Croatia were happy to soak up the pressure with Niko Kranjcar's long-range shot into the arms of Craig Gordon with 20 minutes to go the first save the Scotland keeper had to make. But when defender John Kennedy headed inches wide from Hammell's corner near the end, the Scots knew their chance had gone and Croatia held on.