Dinamo Zagreb 2-0 NK Rijeka
Photo: Drago Sopta/CroPix
Krstanović (L) celebrating goal
In front of only 2,000 people on a cold and rainy Zagreb night, Dinamo restored their four-point lead atop the Croatian table after a 2-0 victory over Rijeka. In a seemingly quiet game that entered halftime scoreless, Dinamo finally got on the board in the 57′ when a long cross was headed down by Ivan Krstanović in the box with Ante Rukavina firing on net to give Dinamo the lead. Upon review, Krstanović looked to be offside, but the goal stood. The two Dinamo strikers swapped spots in the 79′ when Rukavina crossed the ball in front of net to be met by an uncovered Krstanović for the 2-0 lead and win. Dinamo hold their four-point lead on second place Hajduk, which is the only highlight from their week after going down to Ajax in Champions League. Dinamo have yet to score a goal in their European group stage campaign.
Lučko 0-3 Hajduk Split
Hajduk Split temporarily cut down Dinamo’s lead to only one point atop the Prva Liga table after a 3-0 win over Lučko Friday night. Anas Sharbini got off on the right foot as he dribbled through the entire Lučko defense only to have his shot denied on the line. With the rebound coming off the post in the fifth minute, Marin Tomasov cleaned up the trash in front of the net to give Hajduk an early 1-0 lead and make sure Sharbini’s run was not made in vain. Lučko tested Hajduk on a few occasions but could only get their shots to whisk by the post.
Hajduk went into halftime up 1-0 but doubled their lead in the second when Japanese defender Masahiko Inoha was left unmarked in front of the net to head home a free kick. Inoha quickly ran over to Torcida while kissing the Hajduk crest on his jersey and finally bowed to the supporters. Anas Sharbini ended a fantastic game with an assist late, taking a failed Lučko corner kick coast to coast to feed Ante Vukušić Hajduk’s third goal. They remain four points behind Dinamo.
NK Osijek 2-2 NK Varaždin
It has only gone from bad to worse for Varaždin this season. After taking a late lead into injury time against Osijek Saturday night, Osijek were awarded a penalty kick after a foul in the box which ex-Croatian international Marko Babić converted to force a 2-2 draw and chop the points. If that wasn’t enough of a heart-breaker, it has been reported that Varaždin players will be going on strike this week due to not being given proper wages. They would be replaced by the junior squad. Varaždin earned only their second point of the season with the draw and should be on their way to the second devision next season. Osijek remain at mid-table and could be a contender for the last Europa League berth.
Karlovac 0-1 Lokomotiva
Photo:Nikola Wolf/CroPix
Lokomotiva edged out Karlovac on Saturday with the game’s lone goal coming from Filip Škvorc just seconds before the halftime whistle. Karlovac were gifted a man advantage in the 55th minute when Lokomotiva’s Marcelo Brozović was given his walking papers. Karlovac could not capitalize and remain in the relegation zone while Lokomotiva jump four points clear.
Rnk Split 3-1 NK Istra 1961
Photo: Vlado Kos/CroPix
Rnk Split remain on pace to make their second straight stint in Europa League qualifying. With an early goal from Romano Obilinović to open the scoring in the 6th minute, Split looked as if they would secure all three points as the game entered its late stages. However, Istra’s Luka Mijaljević would equalize in the 79′ to give Rnk Split a scare. Ante Rebić took the lead back for Split less than a minute later and Obilinović doubled his fun with an injury time insurance goal to make it a 3-1 final. With the win, Split remain in third place, three points clear from Slaven Belupo for that last European spot.
Slaven Belupo 1-0 HNK Šibenik
Photo: Ante Cizmic/CroPix
Slaven Belupo kept paced with Rnk Split and Inter on Saturday as they defeated Šibenik 1-0 with a goal from Josip Brezovec in just the third minute of play. With the win, Slaven remain three points behind Split for the last Europa League spot. After previous successful seasons in the HNL, Šibenik remain deep in the relegation zone and could be dropped next season should the Prva Liga decide to go back to 12 teams.
Inter Zaprešić 3-1 NK Zagreb
In a match between two possible Europa League candidates, Inter took a large step forward Friday night defeating NK Zagreb 3-1 in Zaprešić. Ante Budimir got Inter on the board in the 23rd minute only to have his effort equalized by Zagreb’s Besart Abdurahimi two minutes after the restart. However, Inter would make the most of this pivotal match having goals scored by captain Tomislav Šarić and Bernard Gulić in the 73rd and 78th minutes. With the win, Inter climb to 20 points while Zagreb remain on 19.
Cibalia Vinkovci 2-0 NK Zadar
Zadar’s confidence from wins over Hajduk and Dinamo earlier in the season couldn’t help them defeat Cibalia on Saturday. Current Prva Liga scoring leader Ivan Santini was left off the scorer’s sheet while Cibalia’s Dino Kresinger and Mladen Barolović scored in each half to give Cibalia a much needed three points. With the win, Cibalia gets some breathing room above the drop zone and catch Zadar with 16 points on the season through 12 matches.
@Ante B,
Dinamo was and is still heavily favored to win the HNL. If Dinamo fail to win this year with all that (HNL)talent, it would be like Newcastle winning the EPL. An underdog title is 100x sweeter. Just look at the Dallas Mavericks.
Also, the soap opera at Dinamo is quite entertaining as well. What would Mamic do if Hajduk were to take the title? Only time will tell.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HY-03vYYAjA
“Great to see Dinamo fans sweating before and during that Rijeka match. As long as Hajduk makes it interesting, I will be happy.”
It is funny and sad that this is what hajdukovci have to look forward to since they haven’t won the title in basically a decade. Hvala ti Boze kaj sam dinamovac.
Ha, I guess everyone else was at the Lucko-Hajduk game. They drew 3,000.
Only 2,00 fans? What do you mean… that’s a respectable crowd at Maksimir:)
@Denis
“He left me with “great I scored against Rijeka, who cares since I dont play in champs league.” Be a man. Train harder, show Jurcic that you are hungry, that you are ready for the opportunity to redeem yourself. Krstanovic reeks of insecurity and depression.”
Completely agree. I think it’s also gotta be tough on him going to Dinamo after lighting it up in NK Zagreb last year. He’s only 28, so he’s not THAT old but either way, I don’t see him starting in the CL unless a few players get hurt. He did his job by scoring the goal so that’s all that really matters. If he cries about it in his free time, so be it. He better just build his self esteem with more goals I guess.
@Colin, I agree with you, however, that is the wrong approach. If Dinamo have this “its the HNL” mentality, they might lose valuable points down the road. Also, psychologically, Krstanovic looks shot. He looks like an old man. As if he has nothing left in the tank. Coming from NK Zagreb, where he was the man, scoring goals left and right he has a useless Rukavina starting in front of him in champs league. Krstanovic looks heartbroken on the pitch. As a professional, at least hide it with a little fist pump or a salute to the crowd.
He left me with “great I scored against Rijeka, who cares since I dont play in champs league.” Be a man. Train harder, show Jurcic that you are hungry, that you are ready for the opportunity to redeem yourself. Krstanovic reeks of insecurity and depression.
@Denis Kristanovic keeps it cool. That’s how he rolls. It’s like how cool guys never look back when they are walking away from explosions in movies. Not his style. I’m sure the only 2,000 fans in attendance didn’t motivate him much either. Also, its the HNL…
Anas Sharbini can play againts Turks. in 2nd Striker.
behind Petric and Mandzukic.
Great to see Dinamo fans sweating before and during that Rijeka match. As long as Hajduk makes it interesting, I will be happy.
Also, check out that ridiculous second yellow to the Mexican on Rijeka. It was his fault as he did shoot after the whistle. No point missing another game for a silly red card.
I dont get why Krstanovic didnt celebrate his goal. As if Dinamo was up 5-0 at that point. Dinamo can easily slip in the standings with performances like this.
Ante Vukusic only scored once?
Arrgh. His scoring average has now dropped to 1.3 goals per 90 minutes. That bum!