Bilic happy with slow starters Croatia

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Luka Modric scored the only goal of the game at Vienna's Ernst Happel Stadium; then Bilic's side were hanging on to their lead as they soaked up pressure.

"I didn't think the players were happy when they got back in the dressing room," said Bilic.

"I turned on the CD player and said they should sing - because they won."

Bilic felt the occasion got to his players.

He added: "Some players were overwhelmed by playing at a great tournament - but we started off with the best possible way with a win.

"In the first 35 minutes we played excellently, of course the early lead contributed to that.

"They exerted more pressure in the second half, and I'm sure that is not to do with a lack of strength from our players. But we confined ourselves to our penalty area too early.

"The last 15 minutes or so - when they play all or nothing - you can do that. But we started in the 60th minute or so."