Football
Associated Press 6y

Zlatko Dalic rewarded with new Croatia deal after sealing World Cup passage

Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic will have his contract extended after qualifying for the World Cup within weeks of being hired.

The Croatian Football Federation (HNS) said its executive committee will "verify this agreement" next week.

Dalic took charge for Croatia's final qualifying group game when coach Ante Cacic was fired after drawing with Finland 1-1 at home.

Under Dalic, Croatia won in Ukraine 2-0, then eliminated Greece in the playoffs 4-1 on aggregate on Sunday.

HNS president Dakor Suker said Dalic "absolutely justified our confidence in him, confirming he was the right choice."

Dalic added: "I am proud of what we have done in the three previous matches, considering how much the World Cup berth means to Croatian football. I have already said that we can easily agree [a contract] later, and today we have done so.

"I would like to express my gratitude to the president Suker and HNS executive committee for believing in me, and I can promise that I will continue to give my all to have Croatia playing at the highest level, in accordance with our players' quality."

Dalic previously spent seven years with clubs in Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates.

It is the second straight time Croatia have advanced to the World Cup with a coach appointed late in the qualifiers, with Niko Kovac guiding them to the 2014 tournament.

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