Dinamo Zagreb 1-0 NK Zagreb
Photo: Damir Krajac/CROPIX
Šimunić (C) being clobbered by Zagreb players
Dinamo Zagreb returned to their fine domestic form on Saturday, defeating city rivals NK Zagreb, after yet another Champions League thumping earlier in the week at the hands of Ajax. In a hard fought Zagreb derby, all Dinamo needed for victory was an eighth minute Fatos Beqiraj strike to earn Dinamo their third straight win after their first loss of the season to Zadar. Dinamo remain seven points ahead of the two Split clubs going into the international break while NK Zagreb fall to eighth position with 19 points.
Hajduk Split 3-0 NK Varaždin
Ivan Vuković celebrates early goal vs. Varaždin
Hajduk’s match versus Varaždin Saturday night was over before it even began. Ivan Vuković scored in just the second minute of play with Australian-born Steven Luštica doubling the lead 17 minutes later. Hajduk would cap off the 3-0 victory over lowly Varaždin with a Marin Tomasov goal five minutes before the break. Hajduk went on cruise control in the second half scoring no goals, but the first half effort was enough to earn all three points against Varaždin, who have only earned two draws this season. Barring an absolute miracle, Varaždin will play in the second division next season. Hajduk remain tied in second place with city rivals Rnk Split, seven points behind leaders Dinamo.
Inter Zaprešić 0-3 Rnk Split
Photo: Damir Krajač/Cropix
Rnk Split easily defeated the very Inter Zaprešić side which stunned Hajduk at Poljud last week to pull the two Split clubs level on points. Ex-Hajduk striker Duje Čop stole the show Friday night with a two-goal performance, scoring just before halftime and adding another one in the 59th minute to strengthen Rnk’s lead. Inter couldn’t respond and Split’s Ante Rebić capped off a 3-0 win in the 87th with an insurance goal to secure all three points.
With the win, Split remain tied with Hajduk for second place, seven points behind leaders Dinamo Zagreb. Inter sit on a respectable 23 points through 14 games with the loss.
Slaven Belupo 1-0 NK Rijeka
Photo: Nikola Wolf (Podravski list) / Cropix
Slaven Belupo added to Rijeka’s woes taking away a hard earned 1-0 victory in Koprivnica Friday night. Belupo midfielder Martin Jakšinić scored the lone goal of the game in the 69th minute to earn Slaven three points and their fourth win in the last five matches. Rijeka were given hope in the 79′ when Mato Grgić was sent off to bring Slaven down to ten men. Rijeka couldn’t capitalize and now have only one win in their last five. Slaven Belupo remain only three points behind the two Split clubs for second place.
Cibalia Vinkovci 1-0 NK Istra 1961
Photo: Vlado Kos/Cropix
All was quiet on the eastern front for the first 90 minutes Saturday when Cibalia hosted NK Istra. With the game headed into injury time and both clubs looking to chop the points, Cibalia’s Mladen Bartulović shocked Istra nation with an injury time strike to claim all points. The shock loss for Istra keeps them on 11 points and earns them a fourth straight loss. With the win, Cibalia climb to seventh place on 20 points.
Karlovac 2-0 NK Zadar
Photo: Damir Krajac/CROPIX
NK Zadar may be able to slay the big boys of the HNL, but they apparently cannot defeat the teams that they should with this year’s resume. In a Saturday night affair, Karlovac easily took care of Zadar with a double from Enes Novinić. Goals came in the 2nd and 59th minutes to ensure Karlovac a 2-0 win to move them only two points from the safety zone in the HNL table. With Zadar’s lack of wins lately, they now become a nominee for relegation.
Lučko 2-2 Lokomotiva
Lučko began Saturday’s match with Lokomotiva in fantastic fashion as striker Leopold Novak gave his side the lead just minutes before the halftime whistle. Lokomotiva would not be denied in the second half as Leonard Mesarić and Tomi Jurić would score seven minutes apart from each other to give Dinamo’s feeder club the one-goal advantage going into the last 30 minutes of play. Lučko would force the 2-2 draw with a 73rd minute equalizer from Josip Fuček. Lučko remain in the relegation zone while Lokomotiva escape just two points ahead of Karlovac one of the last safety spots.
NK Osijek 0-0 HNK Šibenik
Osijek and Šibenik played out an uneventful scoreless draw at Gradski Vrt Stadion in Osijek Sunday night. Not even a card was issued in the 90 minutes the two clubs played. With the draw, Osijek jump into a tie for fifth place and sit seven points behind a Europa Leage spot while Šibenik remain three points behind a safe spot to play in the Prva Liga next season.
lol… Think Jurcic will mix up the squad a bit in the next champions league match? Not much to lose anymore. I want to see see Kristanovic play.
Jurcic has suspended Sammir for missing a training session
Kalinic will come good.
Bilic has lost the plot entirely, he has called up Jerko Leko! Its over, when Leko makes the squad you know we are lost.
On a brighter note, Marin Tomasov is scoring for fun this year.
Lucko-Lokomotiva ended 2-2? Word in Zagreb was that match was going to end a little different…
Couldn’t agree more. A guy who can hold the ball up and pass very well as well. Would have loved to see him come off the bench. He had him on the squad earlier.
Although, I won’t mind, just as long as I don’t see Kalinic play.
bilic going to regret dropping klasnic…he scored 2 goals and assist 2 goals against stoke.