FC Dynamo Kyiv will be represented by Croats Domagoj Vida and Ognjen Vukojević. In this article we’ll have a closer look at the way to the Mundial of the latter.
Club affairs
Vukojević finished the last season playing for FC Spartak Moscow on loan. Still the 2013/2/14 season Oggi started in Dynamo.
At first it was difficult for him to get game practice because of fierce competition between midfielders. Still Ognjen didn’t give up. He kept working hard and proving that he’s able to benefit the team.
“I informed the coaching staff that I’m willing to play as I want to be useful for my national team at the World Cup in Brazil. Still I had no claims. That’s for weak people. The only place where I can prove something is football pitch. I was just training and waiting for a chance”, - stated Vukojević in September of 2013.
Due to his hard work Ognjen eventually made 18 appearances in the Ukrainian Premier League, four in the Ukrainian Cup and eight in the Europa League.
On August 14 2013 the halfback played his 50th match for the national team (against Liechtenstein).
The UPL match against FC Illichivets Mariupol was his 200th appearance for Dynamo.
On December 20 2013 Vukojević turned 30. Still it seems that age doesn’t influence him.
Tough group and painless playoffs
In the 2014 World Cup qualification Croatia featured in group A against Belgium, Serbia, Scotland, Wales and Macedonia.
Belgium demonstrated really impressive play which let them win the group.
Croats started the qualifying round with five wins and draw against Belgium (1:1).
Still after that their results were leaving much to be desired – two defeats against Scotland (1:0 and 0:2) and home failure against Belgium (1:2). That didn’t let the Blazers qualify for the World Cup finals automatically.
After the second defeat to Scotland Croatia head coach Igor Štimac resigned. Niko Kovač took his place. Croats managed to secure the second place in their group and thus went through to the playoffs.
Vukojević took the field in seven qualifiers (four in the starting lineup). He also featured for his national team in seven friendlies.
In the playoffs the Blazers opposed Iceland.
Vukojević was optimistic about such drawing: “Before the drawing I was a bit depressed as I was afraid we would face France of Sweden, but now I’m satisfied. It’s all in our hands. We should score a goal or two in Iceland and then nail down the success in Zagreb. I won’t perform in the first leg, but I’ll go to Iceland as I must be with my teammates”.
The game in Reykjavik ended in a goalless draw, and in ZagrebCroatia won by two goals to nil.
Opponents
Croats have been drawn in the World Cup group A with Brazil, Mexico and Cameroon.
The Blazers will feature against the hosts in the opening match on June 12 inSão Paulo.
On June 18 they’ll face Cameroon and five days later – Mexico.
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