Croatian First Division side Hajduk Split on Monday sacked coach Miso Krsticevic because of a run of poor results and replaced him with former international defender Igor Tudor. Tudor will be Hajduk's 28th coach since 2000, with none of his predecessors completing two full campaigns. "We estimated that at this moment our qualification for Europe was at risk ... and opted for changes," the club's president Marin Brbic said.

(Reuters) - Croatia struck twice in the last 13 minutes to beat Wales 2-1 in an entertaining World Cup Group A qualifier in Swansea on Tuesday. Dejan Lovren and Eduardo scored to keep Croatia level with Belgium at the top of the standings and inflict a major blow to Wales's hopes of reaching the World Cup. "We made too many mistakes but after throwing an extra man forward we dominated and deserved our win after showing character," Lovren told Croatian TV.

(Reuters) - Elated after their emotional 2-0 home win over Serbia, Croatia visit Wales for a World Cup qualifier on Tuesday knowing they can ill-afford to rest on their laurels with Group A rivals Belgium also flying high. The pair are locked on 13 points at the top after much-fancied Belgium strolled to a 2-0 win in Macedonia on Friday when Croatia were celebrating victory over their neighbours.

Croatia and Serbia meet on Friday in a highly charged World Cup qualifier -- the first between the two former foes as independent nations since the bloody 1990s war that tore apart the former Yugoslavia. Croatia fans geared up for the match on a sunny but cool day in Zagreb, with those who failed to secure a ticket for the game at the Maksimir Stadium expected to watch on a giant screen in the capital's main Ban Josip Jelacic square. Hundreds of mostly young people from all over the country but also from abroad were gathering at the square since morning hours.