Czechs hold on for draw against Croatia in World Cup qualifier

The Czech Republic battled to a goalless draw in their World Cup qualifier against Croatia on Thursday, holding off the group leader's who poured on the pressure in the final minutes in search of a winner.

Both teams defended with discipline throughout the match as they looked to avoid big mistakes, with players quickly shutting down attacks in dangerous areas and not giving up many goal-scoring chances.

The Czechs, learning their lesson from a 5-1 away drubbing by Croatia in June, pressed high from the start, with midfielder Pavel Sulc missing an early opportunity with a shot straight at Croatian keeper Dominik Livakovic.

Ivan Perisic spurned a pair of chances in the opening half for the visitors, including a shot from inside the penalty area that he fired over the goal. He later missed a header that he nodded straight into the keeper's hands.

Croatia, who marked coach Zlatko Dalic's 100th match in charge of the national side, wore the Czechs down in the second half.

The result leaves both sides top of Group L with 13 points, but with Croatia ahead on goal difference. In the group's other fixture on Thursday, the Faroe Islands thrashed Montenegro 4-0.