"We are disappointed but we must recognise Croatia were better tonight and my young players made some mistakes," Rohr told reporters
Croatia's Luka Modric celebrates scoring off a penalty v Nigeria on Saturday. Pic/AFP
Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr admitted his young team had been "naive" in a 2-0 loss to Croatia in their opening Group D game on Saturday, continuing a dismal recent record at World Cups.
A Luka Modric penalty 20 minutes from time and a first-half own goal sealed victory for a Croatia side brimming with technical ability, and the Super Eagles - who brought the youngest squad to Russia - have now won just one of their last 13 games on football's biggest stage.
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"We are disappointed but we must recognise Croatia were better tonight and my young players made some mistakes," Rohr told reporters. With rivals Argentina and Iceland only managing a 1-1 draw earlier, both sides had a chance to take control of Group D. But Nigeria, up against a central one-two of Modric and Ivan Rakitic, were content to sit back and allow Croatia in. Modric said his side will lift their game against Argentina next: "It'll be a very difficult match, but this win will boost our confidence to up our game."
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