Tottenham Hotspur FC midfielder Luka Modric and FC Shakhtar Donetsk forward Eduardo 'Dudu' da Silva were both on target as Croatia came from a goal down to beat Israel 3-1 in a Euro 2012 qualifier on Tuesday. Bilic's men tighten its grip at the top of Group F, with morning leaders Greece being held to a modest 1-1 draw against Latvia in Riga.
Luis Fernandez's side hit the dominating hosts from a counterattack just before the break. Midfielder Yossi Benayoun supplied Real Mallorca forward Tomer Hemed, who put the away side ahead in 44th minute. Croatia wasted no time in testing Israeli goalkeeper Guy Haimov (substitute for injured Dudu Aouate), scoring three times in just 12 minutes. Modric responded immediately in the 47th, with an impressive shot from more than 20 meters. The visitors were reduced to 10 players in 51st minute when Tal Ben Haim received a red card for fierce tackle on substitute Eduardo da Silva. Modrić then supplied the pass for Eduardo to give the hosts a 55th-minute lead and 'Dudu' was on hand two minutes later to head in Darijo Srna's cross and seal the home side victory. “We were not bad in the first half, had some chances, but it was important to score early in the second half,” Croatia captain Srna of FC Shakhtar Donetsk said. “We are looking forward to the remaining matches.”
Croatia 3 – 1 Israel Lineups: Croatia: Stipe Pletikosa, Ivan Strinic, Josip Simunic, Dejan Lovren, Vedran Corluka (Eduardo da Silva, 46), Ognjen Vukojevic (Tomislav Dujmovic, 46), Nikica Jelavic (Nikola Kalinic, 88), Luka Modric, Darijo Srna, Mario Mandzukic, Niko Kranjcar. Israel: Dudu Aouate (Guy Haimov, 46), Tal Ben Haim, Rami Gershon, Beram Kayal, Talb Twatha, Tomer Hemed, Yossi Benayoun, Eran Zahavi (Etey Shechter, 68), Iyad Khutaba, Omri Ben Harush, Tamir Cohen (Eyat Golasa, 57)
