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Niko Kovač scored the only goal as Croatia stepped up their preparations for EURO 2008 with a slender victory against Moldova.

Kovač struck on the half-hour mark in Rijeka, heading in a corner from Ivan Rakitić after the former's shot had been pushed out for a corner by Moldova goalkeeper Stanislav Namasco. Coach Slaven Bilić made six substitutions at half-time and during the second half, a period in which Moldova grew in confidence, forcing Stipe Pletikosa into action a number of times to ensure Croatia preserved their narrow lead.

Croatia: Pletikosa, Ćorluka, R. Kovač (Vejić 46), Šimunić (Šimić 46), Pranjić, Modrić, N. Kovač (Pokrivač 59), Vukojević (Leko 73), Rakitić, Budan (Kalinić 62), Olić (Klasnić 46).

Moldova: St. Namasco, Lascencov, Rebeja, Epureanu, Golovatenco, Zmeu (Cebotari 69), Se. Namasco, Gatcan (Andronic 79), Comleonoc (Suvorov 74), Frunza (Aleksejev 79), Bugaiov (Ovsevnikov 60).

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