Croatia – Kosovo 0:1
Stadium: Branko Čavlović-Čavlek (Karlovac)
Referee: Lovisa Johansson (Sweden)
Goals: Uka 13’
Yellow cards: Joščak 82’
Croatia: Bačić, Pezelj (Slipčević 46'), Jelenčić, Orkić, Nevrkla, Galić (Spajić 62'), Joščak, Vunić (Mikulica 76'), Kurkutović (Lojna 85'), Čanjevac, Rudelić (Ljuština 46')
Kosovo: Mehmeti, Gashi, Ramadani, Misini, Smaili, Fetaj (Fejza 88'), Tahiri, Biqkaj, Uka (Mulliqi 71'), Halilaj, Memeti (Sahiti 90+2')
Croatia’s women’s national team suffered a 0–1 defeat against Kosovo in Karlovac in the qualifiers for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. The visitors took the lead early in the match, when Modesta Uka scored in the 13th minute, and the score remained unchanged until the end.
After the match, head coach Nenad Gračan said:
“We were not good in the first half, we lacked activity and aggression. We conceded a goal after several mistakes in one action and that decided the match. In the second half we were better and deserved more, but unfortunately we did not manage to score. I congratulate Kosovo on the victory.”
Gračan also added:
“I would also like to congratulate everyone on International Women’s Day. Regardless of the result, these girls love football and give their best for the national team. We have rejuvenated the squad and we believe we can build continuity and become more competitive in the future.”
Croatia player Maja Joščak said:
“Every opponent must be respected. We started the match poorly and left too much space between the lines, which caused us problems. We improved in the second half and created some chances, but we need to show more determination and courage in the attacking third.”
The next qualifying match for the World Cup will be played on 14 April in Gibraltar, followed by the return match on 18 April in Sinj.
The match was also special for Izabela Lojna, who made her 100th appearance for the Croatian national team. On that occasion she received a commemorative jersey with the number 100 and flowers from the Croatian Football Federation.
foto: Drago Sopta/HNS
During the week of International Women’s Day, the match also carried a symbolic message of empowering girls and women in sport: the game was officiated by a female referee, the stadium announcer was a woman, the players entered the pitch accompanied by girls, and the ball retrievers were also girls.
