BRUSSELS, Sept 11 (Reuters) - Belgium recovered from
conceding an early goal but failed to capitalise on their
second-half dominance in a 1-1 draw with Croatia in an open and
fluid World Cup qualifying match on Tuesday.
The home side, narrow bookmakers' favourites to win Group A
despite their lowly 40th world ranking, fell a goal behind in
the sixth minute, equalising on the stroke of halftime before
neat footwork created chances but not goals.
Croatia's Ivan Perisic drove in an easy opener when Vincent
Kompany failed to fully clear Darijo Srna's cross.
Belgium's Guillaume Gillet, the sole home starter still
playing for a Belgian club, thundered in an equaliser from a
half-cleared corner in the final play of the first half.
Belgium talked before the match of shutting down Croatian
midfielder Luka Modric, but it was wingers Srna and Perisic and
the imposing Mario Mandzukic in the centre who threatened most.
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