Ireland Under-21s fell to a narrow defeat to Croatia in Vrbovec in the first of two friendlies in Croatia.

In a tight game, Fabijan Krivak’s second-half goal won the friendly for the hosts while Irish quartet Warren Davis, Cian Dillon, Jacob Devaney and Cathal O’Sullivan all earned their first caps at Under-21 level. 

Ireland started on the front foot as some high pressing put pressure on the Croatian backline. Goalkeeper Ante Vukovic misplaced his pass as the ball fell to Adam Murphy, but the midfielder saw his effort blocked on the line at the last second. 

The hosts, managed by former Croatian international and Bayern Munich player Ivica Olic, created their first chance of the evening moments later as Moreno Zivkovic headed wide from a free-kick. 

Midfielder Bruno Durdov then broke through on goal but his shot was denied by an excellent point-blank save from Aaron Maguire, who was making his third U21 start.  

On 11 minutes, Fran Topic went down inside the Irish box under challenge from Alex Murphy, but the Croatian referee waved away the penalty appeals from the hosts. 

In an even opening half, Adriano Jagusic shot just wide of Maguire’s post just after the half-hour mark after finding a pocket of space on the edge of the box, before Durdov tried his luck again but shot high and wide. 

As Drogheda United’s Warren Davis and QPR’s Cian Dillon came on for the second half to each win their first caps at U21 level, Croatia took the lead minutes later as Fabijan Krivak’s shot from outside the box found its way to the bottom corner. 

Ireland pushed for an equaliser as the second-half came to a close and while there were more U21 debuts for Devaney and Cork City’s Cathal O’Sullivan, Crawford’s side weren’t able to find a goal to level the friendly as the hosts emerged with a narrow win. 

Croatia: Sajko; Barisic, Zivkovic, Damjanic, Hrgovic (Tunjic 62); Krivak (Kavelj 75), Durdov, Vrbancic; Jagusic (Brajkovic 75), Topic (Rukavina 62), Soticek (Kulusic 82).

Ireland: Maguire (Jauny 46); Alex Murphy, Okagbue, Grehan; Curtis (O’Sullivan 89), Mullins (Devaney 82), Lipsiuc (Vaughan 66), Slater; Adam Murphy (McJannet 66); O'Mahony (Dillon 46), Gardner (Davis 46).

Referee: A Culina (Croatia).