ZAGREB, Croatia -- Ten-man Croatia qualified for the World Cup with a 2-0 win on Tuesday that quashed Icelands hopes of reaching footballs showpiece tournament for the first time. Nike Air Max 90 Rea . Striker Dario Mandzukic scored the opener in the 22nd minute but was given a red card nine minutes later for a reckless tackle and left Croatia with 10 men for the remainder of the match. But the home team maintained its attacking dominance and Darijo Srna made it 2-0 in the 47th. The defeat ended Icelands bid to become the smallest nation -- in terms of population -- to reach the World Cup finals. Croatia, a semifinalist in 1998, qualified for its fourth World Cup since becoming an independent state in 1991. "Croatia deserved to win," Iceland defender Ragnar Sigurdsson said. "It was the better team, especially today, and there is no doubt it deserves to go to Brazil. We felt it might go better for us after Mandzukic was sent off, but we did not get any space on the pitch." Last Friday in Reykjavik, Iceland overcame the second-half red card of Olafur Skulason to hold on for the 0-0 draw against Croatia, keeping the Nordic nation in contention for a spot at Brazil in 2014. But on Tuesday, Iceland had few chances against an inspired Croatian team. "Pressure was huge, this was not easy game to play," Croatia coach Niko Kovac said. "But at the end, it could have easily been 5-0." Croatia took the lead when Ivan Rakitic crossed from the right, Ivan Perisic deflected the ball in the heart of the penalty box, creating a clear opportunity for Mandzukic to finish with a low shot into the near corner. Bayern Munich striker Mandzukic was shown a straight red card after a tackle with his studs up against Johann Gudmundsson, and that changed Croatias tactical approach for the rest of the game. With Iceland going into an all-out attack, Croatia resorted to counter-attacks. Captain Srna doubled the lead two minutes into the second half when his shot from some 18 metres (yards) from the right bounced in front of Iceland goalkeeper Hannes Halldersson and ended up in the left corner of the goal. "We were focused throughout the playoffs and it was worth it," Srna said. "We had no right to disappoint our fans. Mandzukics sending off only gave us the wind in our backs." Openings in Icelands defence only created more chances for the Croats. Ivica Olic hit the crossbar with a spectacular overhead shot and Perisic failed to convert a one-on-one situation against the Iceland goalkeeper. "We are really happy to make it to the World Cup," Croatia and Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric said. "Iceland was tough to play against, but we were a better team in the playoffs." Iceland was surprisingly unbeaten in its last five games on the road in these World Cup qualifications. "Croatia was a better and more experienced opponent and showed its strength," Iceland veteran striker Eidur Gudjohnsen said. "Still, we have to be proud of what we have done in this World Cup campaign." Nike Air Max 90 Herr . Midfielder Michael Bradley, one of the teams new designated players, will make his debut, while striker Gilberto could see his first action for TFC in the contest. Nike Air Max 1 Dam Vita . The Italian came from behind to overtake Jarlinson Pantano in the final 50 metres and edge out Dario Cataldo on the line after a climb to the sanctuary of Oropa, the scene of Marco Pantanis memorable victory in 1999.LOS ANGELES, Calif. - The Clippers have signed guard Dahntay Jones to a second 10-day contract.Jones has played four games, averaging one point and nearly six minutes since being called up from the Fort Wayne Mat Ants in the D-League.The 34-year-old guard averaged 14.4 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists for tthe D-League team in Indiana. Nike Air Max 90 Dam Prisjakt. lippers coach Doc Rivers said this week that Jones has been a great influence on younger teammates Austin Rivers and C.J. Wilcox, and that the veteran has a toughness about him.Jones is a 10-year NBA veteran who has had stints with seven different teams. cheap nfl jerseys cheap jerseys ' ' '
