Croatia beat Turkey in Euro 2012 playoff

ISTANBUL, Nov 12 (AP): Croatia staked its claim to place at the 2012 European Championship on Friday after defender Vedran Corluka scored one goal and helped create another in a 3-0 victory overTurkey in the first leg of their playoff. Croatia found the net after just two minutes through Ivica Olic, before fellow striker Mario Mandzukic extended his side's lead in the 32nd minute and Corluka nodded home in the 52nd to put the visitors firmly in control. Turkey coach Guus Hiddink gave his team little chance of turning things around in the second leg in Zagreb on Tuesday. "It is almost impossible to qualify now and our players must play for their honor, for their country and for their teams in the next match," the Dutchman said. Turkey then had more of the possession, but the home side never really came close to scoring despite fervent crowd support.