Football. ua presents the announcement of the qualifying match of the 2018 World Cup for the ninth round in Group I between Croatia and Finland.

Croatia, like all applicants for the final of the 2018 World Cup in Group I, it is desirable to win the remaining two matches. Considering that in the last round "checkered" will play on the road with a direct competitor, then victory in a duel against Finland, which has lost all chances, is necessary to them as air.

Croatia - Finland Friday, October 6, 21:45. Rijeka, Rijeka stadium. Referee - Daniel Stefanski (Poland) Before the final matches of the qualifying tournament of the 2018 World Cup, the Croatian team unexpectedly found itself in a critical situation. Confidently advancing in the tournament distance to the final tournament, "checkers" unexpectedly lost in the last two away matches of Iceland and Turkey, and another misfire could cost them not only a direct hit on the mundial, but also a chance to argue for a ticket to the playoffs.

According to rumors, the microclimate in the crowded star team Ante Chacic leaves much to be desired, and the pressure from outside by the media and fans already preparing to celebrate the success of their pets, also makes itself felt.

At the same time, the Finnish national team, which was separated from the chances of taking one of the first two places, dropped its responsibility and played lightly and at ease, defeating Iceland and Kosovo in the last two qualifying matches.

In the duel of the first round, the victory was given to Croats by the only accurate blow of Mandzhukich.

Approximate compositions Croatia: Subashic - Vrsalco, Vida, Mitrovic, Pivaric - Brozovic, Badel, Modric, Rakitic, Perisic - Manjukic.

Finland: Hradecky - Grandlund, Mojsander, Ajary, Vaisanen - Lod, Hamalainen, Lam, Sparve, P. Hetemay - Pukki.

Words by Ante Chachic, coach of the Croatian national team:.

"We are waiting for a very difficult game in which at any cost you need to get three points.

Finland's national team is strong on the defensive and on counterattacks, and in order to win, we must constantly attack to prevent the rival respite and the ability to organize counterattacks. The guys are very determined, and I think they will be able to implement our plan ".

Markku Kanerva, coach of the Finnish national team:.

"It's great that we managed to win two games in a row. And although all our chances of getting into the World Cup have long been missed, we want to continue the winning streak. I'm happy with the progress of the team, so I'm optimistic about the next qualifying round ".

forecast 1: 0.