Coach Gernot Rohr of Nigeria is not giving up hope of making it to the second round of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, despite losing 2-0 to Croatia in their first match.
Nigeria conceded both goals from poor defending of corner kicks, as Oghenekaro Etebo put the ball in his own net from a diving Mandzukic header.
Troost-Ekong fouled Mandzukic in the box, in an attempt to get at a corner kick. The resulting penalty was duly converted by Modric.
Rohr admitted his fault at the poor set piece defending of his squad and is hoping to get a win against Iceland in their next group fixture.
“We are disappointed. We recognize that Croatia had the better team tonight and my young players made mistakes, again on the corners,” Rohr said after the game.
“The first goal was a corner, the second goal a penalty from a corner. There were also many fouls in the other box, they could have also given a penalty for us. Now we have to win against Iceland. If we win the next game, all is possible for qualification.”
