Croatia beat Namibia 5-4 in their second men’s indoor hockey test in Zelina on Saturday night to take a 1-0 lead in their series.
Croatia started strongly, racing into a 4-1 lead by halftime and although Namibia made a strong comeback it was not enough as they suffered a narrow defeat.
With the first test being drawn 5-5, and with only one match left in the series, the best Namibia can do now is to try and salvage a draw.
Fagan Hansen gave Namibia an early lead, slamming home a Nico Neethling cross, but Croatia soon equalised when Ivan Soic flicked high into the net.
After some patient buildups from the back, Croatia took the lead early in the second quarter when Gregor Fujs scored from a shoret corner. Namibia were making unneccessary mistakes and Croatia capitalised and made them pay.
Josip Krleza made it 3-1 from another short corner and when they won a penalty for a foul, Mario Mucic scored from the spot to give them a comfortable 4-1 lead at halftime.
Namibia stepped up their attacks after the break with Hansen and Liam Hermanus both having shots saved early in the third quarter.
Namibia won two short corners in quick succession but could not capitalise, but Matu Kavikairiua finally found the net with a fine solo goal, shooting in from the right wing.
Namibia attacked all out in the final quarter, but Croatia’s keeper Fran Pazur brought off some fine saves from Dakota Hansen, Hermanus and a JP Britz short corner.
Britz finally got the breakthrough, scoring from a short corner with three minutes to go to make it 4-3, but Mucic soon stretched Croatia’s lead with a fine solo goal.
Hermanus pulled back another goal for Namibia with a backstick shot but it was not enough as Croatia held on for a 5-4 win.
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