Niko Kovač Admits Mistakes Against Mexico

Croatia coach Niko Kovač has admitted he made mistakes during his sides 3-1 loss to Mexico which sent Croatia home from the World Cup in Brazil…

Kovač has given his first in-depth interview since arriving back from Brazil, telling daily Sportske Novosti that if he could turn back time he not have made the same decisions.

“With this experience, of course I would not do some of the moves I done in the Mexico match. It showed that I made a mistake when I tried to play more attacking. I done what I done with good intentions,” said Kovač, adding that he does not think he should be lynched by the public and media for his misjudgment.

Kovač, who only had two competitive international matches under his belt before the first game against hosts Brazil, says that his side played well against Brazil, excellent against Cameroon and was solid in the first half against Mexico.

“I take responsiblity for not fulfilling our goals, which was to qualify for the second round. But when I look at our overall performance at the World Cup, I would give us a pass mark,” said the former Bayern Munich midfielder.

Kovač says that he is a fighter by nature and he has never been given anything easy and therefore will continue to work hard and help Croatia be a force come EURO 2016 time in France.

“I will continue to diligently and professionally to do my job, knowing that the desired goals do not come overnight, nor are easy. Most importantly, I have faith what we are doing. In Brazil we conceded six goals and it is a sign of weakness, just as the six goals we scored are positive signs. We must work out a way how to improve that ratio and get results. I am convinced, from autumn, there will be marked progress,” Kovač concluded.