Here are the results for Oct 2-3…
Dinamo Zagreb [ 4-0 ] NK Istra 1961
SAMMIR AND BEĆIRAJ CELEBRATE THE WIN
Goals by Jakub Sylvestr, Fatos Bećiraj and a double from Sammir helped Dinamo Zagreb gain top spot in the Croatian Prva Liga with an easy 4-0 win over Istra. Although they started off slow in the Croatian first division this year, it looks as if Dinamo finally has some momentum going into the international break next week. Dinamo have not only took over top-spot domestically, but their recent win against Villareal in Europa League Group Stage should keep the boys’ confidence high. Looks like Dinamo finally has a keeper in manager Vahid Halilhodžić.
Karlovac [ 1-1 ] Hajduk Split
HAJDUK IN DISBELIEF AFTER A DRAW IN KARLOVAC
After an amazing last-second win over Anderlecht in Europa League play on Thursday, Hajduk disappointed on Sunday with a 1-1 away draw in Karlovac. Europa League hero Ante Vukušić opened up the scoring in the 24′ with Karlovac forward Enes Novinić equalizing off a nice strike outside the box in the 66′. Ahmad Sharbini had the opportunity to play hero as he was put in the same situation as Vukušić on Thursday- a break away in the last seconds. Sharbini’s angle was cut off; ultimately leading to a shot into the side netting, resulting in Hajduk dropping to second position in Croatia, one point behind Dinamo and tied with fellow Split club, Rnk Split.
HAJDUK-KARLOVAC GAME HIGHLIGHTS
NK Rijeka [ 3-0 ] NK Lokomotiva
NK Zadar [ 1-4 ] HNK Šibenik
Rnk Split [ 1-0 ] NK Osijek
Slaven Belupo [ 1-1 ] Cibalia Vinkovci
NK Varteks [ 0-0 ] NK Zagreb
Hrvatski Dragovoljac [ 0-0 ] Inter Zaprešić
HNL TABLE THROUGH 10 MATCHES
Hajduk losing points to Karlovac was not unexpected to me. They are bound to lose some points while they keep playing in the Europa League. Thirsday's win was emotionala nd they were bound for a let down. Dinamo has more depth than hajduk and the longer hajduk is able to comptete in the Europa League and keep hope alive for the knock out phase, they will lose some pints withinthe HNL. You see this happen all the time with teams that are new to the Champions league or Europa League. At times, their league form suffers because the lack of depth shows.
Hajduk losing points to Karlovac was not unexpected to me. They are bound to lose some points while they keep playing in the Europa League. Thirsday's win was emotionala nd they were bound for a let down. Dinamo has more depth than hajduk and the longer hajduk is able to comptete in the Europa League and keep hope alive for the knock out phase, they will lose some pints withinthe HNL. You see this happen all the time with teams that are new to the Champions league or Europa League. At times, their league form suffers because the lack of depth shows.
@anonymous,
please sign in so we can refer to you in the future. I agree with you that Vahid Halilhodžić shouldnt be mentioned in the same sentence as Pudar and Bracun. However, Vahid came for the $$$$.. Reja came for the $$$.. and both Dinamo and Hajduk have $$$ comparing to the rest of HNL teams.
I wouldnt want Halilhodžić for Croatia. Either another Croatian succeeds Bilic or a successful foreigner without any ties to "former Yugo".
Varteks usually use only local guys, but I think they have a few Bosanci this season.
Dragovoljac back when Spajic was still alive had a policy of only Croatian Catholics playing for them lol
Do people forget the days (only 4-5 years ago) Hajduk was filled with Bosnian rejects, good thing they learned from that, no coincidence their lowest point was when those guys were there (Damjanovic, Mesic, Turkovic etc..). It was quite the opposite for Dinamo, when they finished 7th they fielded a bunch of Cro U21 players.
For Croatian clubs to be successful in Europe, I think you need foreign players like Tonel, Cufre, guys with vast experience abroad with solid European clubs. But they are not always easy to get and usually we are stuck with random Brazilians/Africans/ex-YU players which aren't good enough
Nate,
Hrvatski Dragovoljac.
Svircicu,
Its just the natural order of things. Dinamo first and Hajduk second. You know that phrase 'Hajduk zivi vjecno'? That's only part of the sentence. The second part is 'na drugom mjestu'.
RE: Hajduk
I thought Hajduk's midfield was pretty solid today (on paper). Interestingly, I believe this was the first time Bulku, Ljubičić and Brkljača all started. I think Ljubičić has played very well recently, and both Bulku and Brkljača have played important roles.
I have to believe this trio is gonna feature more in Hajduk's remaining Europa League games, especially against Zenit, likely at the expense of Marin Tomasov.
Which Prva HNL clubs only sign Croatian players?
"Looks like Dinamo finally has a keeper in manager Vahid Halilhodžić."
I was calling for Halilhodzic to be the NT manager ever since he was jobbed by Ivory Coast. I know I might be in the minority, but I don't care about his background. I am surprised a manager of his quality is in the HNL (kind of like Reja, who btw has Lazio onto of Serie A). How a league can have guys like Halilhodzic, Reja and morons like Pudar, Bracun in the same league is amazing lol
Only slight concern, is he does seem to get cautious in the big matches, the PAOK game shows that as did the Hajduk game but I will put it to that he was still new when Dinamo played in Poljud
I know he was a candidate back in 2006, and I don't know how much longer Bilic has. Israel is really the last stand
First time Dinamo atop the table and who opens up their mouth? Its still eaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarly.. Don't jinx anything. Also, Hajduk still undefeated.
Quick question. Which team badge is that under Prva HNL standings in first place? I can't tell. I must need glasses…