Croatia v Kosovo qualifier abandoned due to heavy rain

Croatia's home 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Kosovo was abandoned midway through the first half due to adverse weather conditions which made the pitch unplayable, the Croatian Football Association (HNS) said.

Croatia's game against Kosovo was abandoned Source: Getty Images

"The fixture has been abandoned and it is now up to FIFA officials to decide when it will be replayed," HNS press officer Tomislav Pacak said.

Players found it almost impossible to control the ball in Dinamo's Maksimir stadium, with huge puddles all over the surface making it unplayable and causing dangerous skidding which could have led to serious injuries.

Swedish referee Stefan Johannesson deliberated with the players for several minutes before leading them into the dressing rooms for the organisers to make a decision whether to carry on.

With incessant rain pouring, they had no choice but to announce that the match will have to be rearranged.

Croatia led Europe's Group I before the kick-off with 13 points from six games, ahead on goal difference from Iceland who suffered a 1-0 defeat at Finland earlier in the day.