The European 2000 qualifier between Yugoslavia and Croatia ended 0-0 in Belgrade yesterday evening after a 45-minute break due to an electricity failure.
Predrag Mijatovic almost gave Yugoslavia the lead in the opening minute when he hit the post from close range, but the visitors regained their composure midway through the first half and struck the woodwork twice themselves with Arsenal's Davor Suker coming close for Croatia after 20 minutes.
Yugoslav defender Sinisa Mihajlovic's diving header hit his own goal's crossbar in the 35th minute.
The match was halted in the fourth minute of the second half when an electricity generator in the stadium failed, leaving the pitch in total darkness.
During the break, Yugoslav fans shouted anti-regime slogans, calling on Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic to resign: "Slobo, go away", "Slobo, Saddam", "Red gang" and "Slobo, bastard, you sold Kosovo," as well as anti-Croatian chants.
Many also chanted "The rally is tomorrow," referring to the anti-regime protest to be held today in Belgrade, while the others lit torches and pocket lighters.
A tear gas bomb was thrown from the south part of the stadium, prompting many to hide below the seats.
Police reinforced their presence during the break in a match televised live in 70 countries following the postponement of the original March fixture because of the Kosovo crisis.
A group of fans threw a seat at Croatian coach Miroslav Blazevic, who had come onto the pitch to check whether the game would continue.
The match was the first in which the Yugoslav and Croatian national teams have met since Croatia won a bitterly-fought independence campaign in 1991.
Since the end of NATO bombing campaign, power cuts have been frequent throughout Serbia, due to destruction of several major power plants.
In the delayed second period the only real opportunity came in the 79th minute when Mihajlovic fired in a 30-yard free-kick which Croat keeper Drazen Ladic spectacularly saved.
A Yugoslav television commentary claimed: "According to regulations, if the power does not come back within 15 minutes, the match will be played at the same stadium tomorrow."
The draw keeps undefeated Yugoslavia top of group eight on 10 points. Croatia moved to third with eight, one point behind the Republic of Ireland.
Croatia international midfielder Silvio Maric wants to leave English premier league side Newcastle United and return to his former club Croatia Zagreb, local newspapers reported on Wednesday.
Speaking to reporters before last night's European qualifier, Maric said he had raised the issue with Newcastle officials.
Yugoslavia: Kocic; Mirkovic, Djorovic (Drulovic 46 mins), Jokanovic, Djukic, Stankovic, Nadj, Mijatovic, Kovacevic (Milosevic 62 mins), Stankovic, Mihajlovic.
Croatia: Ladic, Kovac, Jarni, Soldo, Stimac, Simic, Asanovic, Stanic, Suker, Boban (Biscan 75 mins), Jurcic.
Referee: K Morton-Nielsen (Denmark).
