Misnav Koci contributed a brilliant goal in Croatia's 2-1 win over Morocco in the World Cup third-place playoff. The 29-year-old wing forward, who suffered a downturn in the Chinese Super League, is now a late bloomer and has been Croatia's biggest discovery in the tournament with one goal and two assists.
Kosei has had a rocky career since his debut, traveling to South Korea in 2015 in search of development, joining Jeonnam Dragons, but moving to Changchun Yatai of the Chinese Super League a year later. However, his performances at Yatai were not impressive, making only 14 appearances, including six as a regular, with two goals and two assists each, before he was dropped by the team and he returned to South Korea to join Ulsan Hyundai.
In July 2018, Kosi returned to Croatia to join Dinamo Zagreb and his career has been revitalized ever since. In Europe, he has had repeated successes, such as his solo goal in the second leg of the Round of 16 of the UEFA Cup in March 2021, helping Dinamo Zagreb sweep past Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 and win the two-legged tie 3-2 on aggregate.
In the first group stage of this year's UEFA Europa League, Cosi helped Dinamo Zagreb beat Chelsea 1-0 with a world wave, which indirectly led to the dismissal of Chelsea's manager at the time, Ducao.
Koci also played a key role in the World Cup, especially in the last eight against Brazil, where he assisted Bono Berkovic to equalize in the closing stages of extra time, giving Croatia a chance to qualify from the penalty shootout. In the third-place match, he scored the winning goal, and Koci's contribution was no less than that of veteran Mordeli.
