Written by dinamofan:), CSR HNL correspondent
Here are the results for Oct. 16-18…
Hajduk Split [0 – 1] HNK Šibenik
ZEC STUNS HAJDUK AT THE POLJUD
Šibenik moved up to third place on Sunday night after defeating Hajduk Split 1-0 at the Poljud. Ermin Zec further enhanced his reputation when he fired home after Alispahić found him free in the penalty area. The Bosnian international has scored 6 goals in 8 games and is almost guarenteed his big transfer in January following his excellant form. Hajduk pressured but neither the returning Ahmad Sharbini or Florin Cernat could finish their chances.
This defeat represents a big blow for Hajduk who will now answer questions regarding their progress under coach Reja, having failed to beat neither Rijeka, Slaven Belupo, Karlovac, Osijek, Cibalia and now Šibenik. Besides Dinamo and Lokomotiva, all six clubs still retain their position ahead of Edy Reja’s team. Both Ahmad Sharbini and Brazilian striker Paraiba appeared for Hajduk this evening. Srđjan Andrić, however, is still absent.
NK Zagreb [1 – 0] Dinamo Zagreb
MANDŽUKIĆ STRESSING OVER DINAMO’S FIRST LOSS OF THE SEASON
Dinamo suffered their first defeat of the season at the hands of neighbors NK Zagreb who collected their first win of the season. Dinamo did much of the pressing, but chances for Mario Mandžukić and Ivica Vrdoljak went astray as both sides went in goalless at half time. In the second half Zagreb’s confidence grew and Davor Vugrinec took advantage of some poor defending to open the scoring. Following Ivan Krstanović’s straight red card for a bad tackle on Leandro Cufre, Zagreb retreated into their own half awaiting a Dinamo siege. However, a header from Papadopoulos was as close as the league leaders came to scoring leaving Zagreb to steal the points.
The match was poor preparation for Dinamo’s midweek trip to Ajax in their important Europa Liga tie. Dinamo have few complaints as they were at full strength with a central defense consisting of three players that started Croatia’s game against Kazakhstan earlier in the week. Zagreb will hope this win can kick start their season as they edg towards the sides immediately above them. For Dinamo, the only good news for them this week has been that Besiktas were ordered to pay them 1.8 million Euro’s for Gordon Schildenfeld which should add some extra money to their transfer kitty for this winter’s transfer window.
Cibalia Vinkovci [2 – 2 ] Karlovac
This was a battle of two of the surprise packages in this season’s Croatian Championship as second place Cibalia met third place Karlovac. Cibalia drew first blood in the 22nd minute when Bosnian midfielder Edin Husić fired his second in two games. Karlovac were back level through former Varteks striker Enes Novičić, before Josip Jerneic extended their lead. A mistake by Mauro Matika however opened a chance for Krešimir Prgomet which he duly took to level the score once again. Both sides closed the gap on Dinamo by only by one point; a consequence of the draw and Dinamo’s loss to Zagreb.
NK Rijeka [1 – 1] NK Osijek
Rijeka continued their good form with a 1-1 draw against NK Osijek. Croatia Under 21 midfielder Vedran Jugović gave Osijek the lead with his fifth goal of the season, only for Antonio Ćulina to equalize. Rijeka are still unbeaten since Zoran Vulić took charge of the club at the start of the month. 17 year old Ćulina will be pleased with his debut performance in a Rijeka shirt. Other news coming out of the club is that in form playmaker Ramon Fernandez has said he would like to play for Croatia. Fernandez has six goals this season and has successfully replaced Anas Sharbini since he left for Hajduk Split.
Varteks Varaždin [3 – 0] Međimurje
It has been a chaotic last few weeks at Međimurje as coach Mario Ćutuk was replaced by Srečko Bogdan. Ćutuk revealed his board was working against him and tried to make him resign from his position against his wishes. Ćutuk said he was being pestered into taking players into his squad who he believed were not good enough for fourth tier football. Ćutuk had in fact done a fine job at Međimurje this season, but the club could soon move in the opposite direction due to off the field interference. Varteks benefitted from the upheaval within their opposition with strikes from Hojski twice and Miljenko Mumlek. Varteks have also been experiencing their own problems of late due to poor finances with the club not able to guarentee the players wages. Varteks say they are also still awaiting payment from Hajduk for Mario Sacer.
Inter Zaprečić [4 – 3] NK Zadar
Relegation threatened Inter Zaprešić picked up a vital win over Zadar in a high scoring encounter on Friday night. Ante Mitrović gave Zadar the lead on 14 minutes before Miroslav Sarić equalized. Želimir Terkes and Edin Saranović put Zadar up 3-1, but Sarić scored a crucial second goal for Zaprešić just before half time. Zaprešić were only able to pull it back to 3-3 in the last 5 minutes when Dodo grabbed his second in as many games before Sarić scored the winner and his first ever hat trick to steal the points.
Zaprešić move above Istra 1961 into fourth from bottom and have now closed on the cluster of teams in midtable. New central defender Josip Barišić, who arrived from Belgian second division side Tubize was not ready to feature in the match. Zaprešić and Croatian Under 21 keeper Matej Delač was missing again due to illness.
Slaven Belupo [3 – 0] NK Istra 1961
Slaven Belupo recorded an important 3-0 win against Istra which puts them back on track for a top half position. In form Croatian Under 21 striker Matias Delić opened the scoring, before further strikes from Dragutin Papa and Francis Tepurić. Papa has been a fine free transfer signing from NK Varteks. There was also further good news for Belupo as their star striker is off the treatment table and back in full training. Belupo will be glad to have their 24 year old hitman back, despite the player wanting to leave in January.
NK Lokomotiva [3 – 2] Croatia Sesvete
Lokomotiva continued their rise up the HNL1 table following this 3-2 win over struggling Croatia Sesvete. Tomislav Puljić struck twice, with Ahmed Polozani and Miljenko Bosnjak pulling Sesvete level. However Dinamo loanee Domogoj Antolić sealed the win in the last minute from the penalty spot. Lokomotiva’s league position now looks healthy as they sit in midtable and are seven points clear of the relegation zone.
Next Matches: Round 12
Saturday, October 24th
Šibenik at Istra
Inter at Slaven Belupo
Varteks at Sesvete
Lokomotiva at Osijek
Rijeka at Zadar
Hajduk at Karlovac
NK Zagreb at Međimurje
Sunday, October 25th
Cibalia at Dinamo Zagreb
Thanks for the link Michael. Unbelievable!
http://sportske.jutarnji.hr/index.php?cmd=show_clanak&clanak_id=14759
Hajduk players facing fines of 1mths salary for poor performance.
Dinamo's defeat appeared to have no relevance whatsoever except only for NK Zagreb getting a few points despite their still a mile off everyone else and also cos it was bad preparation for the Ajax match.
Sibenik were the only side to win in the top 6, but there powers will be less once Zec leaves (hopefully to Dinamo) in January. Zec in and cash in on Vrdoljak and Mandzukic is what Dinamo should do.
The plus side, is hopefully Kalinic will play his matches with Blackburn when the FA Cup/Carling Cup hits (provided they are still in it)
Dinamo tend to play differently in Europe, but Suarez will have a fantastic time with Dinamo's back 4.
Thanks for the heads up Michael.
Sleep is overrated dinamofan. I'm actually watching the Blackburn-Burnley match. No Kalinic on the bench today. Bot good for him.
Ante does that bit. I can't access the site to change it. Ante's prob asleep at moment. Am sure he'll attend to it in the morning.
Dinamo needs to spend some of that money in the winter. Apart from Mandzo, the other strikers are not scoring enough. Sivonjic started yesterday and didn't do very much. I don't expect much from the Ajax game in midweek. But its good Zagreb are at least on a more competitive points total as i don't think anyone really wants to see them relegated.
Hey dinamofan, you need to change the score of Slaven vs Istra, you got the 3-0 reversed in the headline 😉
This is the 2nd time I can remember, Dinamo lost their first match of the season to a team who got their first win (2007 w/ Varazdin).
Mandzukic probably should've sat for this game.