It was so easy to beat England, mocks Croatia skipper Kovac

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Describing England as predictable and one-dimensional, the 36-year-old said: "England played just one way, the long ball to Crouch with him laying the ball to Lampard or Gerrard. For us, it was very easy to stop this.

Off to a flier: Croatia celebrate the game's opener

"When Beckham came on it was a bit dangerous for us but we showed a lot of character to come back after they scored two goals and for me, ourselves and Russia were the two best teams in the group.

"Croatia are a team while England are not. We have players who love to take the opponent in a one-to-one situation but England don't seem to have players like this.

"Sometimes it is good to fall down, though, and I am sure England will get back up for the World Cup."

Kovac also believes it is the right decision for Steve McClaren to go.

"If he succeeds he stays, if he fails, he goes, that is the rule in football.

"I also believe the expectation is too high here. I think when the England fans looked at the group they were sure their team would qualify.

"You should hope but not expect."