体坛英语新闻：Jelavic retires from international football

ZAGREB, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Hull City forward, 29-year-old Nikica Jelavic, surprised Croatian national coach Niko Kovac on Saturday when he announced his retirement from international football.

His announcement came just one day after Croatia beat Bulgaria 1-0 in Sofia in a qualifying match for Euro 2016. Jelavic spent entire 90 minutes of the match on the bench. When the Croatian team came to Vukovar, a town in the eastern part of Croatia, Jelavic seated with Kovac and told him that he was retiring from his international duties because he was not satisfied with his role in the team.

"I have to admit that Jelavic surprised me and that I am sorry that he is leaving the team, but I have to except his decision. I want to thank him for all that he did for the Croatian national team. I can only wish him all the best in his life and in his future career," Niko Kovac was quoted on Croatian Football Federation official website.

Jelavic played 36 matches for Croatia and scored six goals but since Niko Kovac became head coach Jelavic's playing time deteriorated. He was picked for a starting lineup only once, in the World Cup opener against Brazil, when he was involved in only goal that Croatia scored in a 1-3 defeat. In the next two matches in the group he only got 16 minutes against Mexico. In the recent Euro 2016 qualifying campaign he played in the second half against Malta and scored the second goal in a 2-0 victory and stayed on the bench against Bulgaria.

Jelavic became fourth player from the Croatian World Cup squad to have decided to retire from international football.

Goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa, 35, Brazilian-born striker Eduardo da Silva, 31,and midfielder Ognjen Vukojevic, 30, were the other three that announced their retirements after the World Cup where Croatia had a disappointing early exit without making it to the knockout stage.

Croatia will play the next Euro 2016 qualifier on Monday, Oct. 13 in Osijek in the eastern part of Croatia, against Azerbaijan.