Solid defense earns soccer team a point in Croatia
The Greek national soccer team has made up for its home draw against Georgia last week, thanks to a solid display of defensive play in Croatia which earned it a 0-0 draw for the 2012 European Championship qualifiers on Tuesday evening. Greece opted for a defensive formation (4-5-1) that ensured it had two lines of resistance against a talented host side that could not find a way through to the Greek net in Zagreb. Such was the frustration for the home team that its fans even began to jeer toward the end of the game. In the odd counterattack, the players of coach Fernando Santos did pose a threat, but it was not enough for Greece to steal the game, as lone striker Dimitris Salpigidis and his replacement in the second half, Fanis Gekas, were fairly isolated up front. It was left to winger Giorgos Samaras to cause some trouble for the Croatia defense, but to no avail. The result means Greece has two points out of two games, after the 1-1 draw in the match against Georgia last Friday at the Karaiskaki Stadium in Neo Faliro. The national team is just two points off pacesetters Croatia and Israel.