Here are the results for May 13-14…
NK Zagreb [ 2-2 ] Hajduk Split
Photo: Marko Miščević/CROPIX; Ivan Krstanović celebrating goal for NK Zagreb
NK Zagreb’s Ivan Krstanović out-dueled Hajduk’s Ante Vukušić on Saturday after scoring his league leading 17th and 18th goals in a 2-2 draw at Stadion Kranjčevićeva. Hajduk struck first in the 11th minute after former NK Zagreb midfielder Mario Brkljača headed home a Marin Tomasov corner kick. Ivan Krstanović would equalize for Zagreb after Damir Šovšić set him free with a nice through ball.
Photo: Marko Miščević/CROPIX; NK Zagreb-Hajduk Split
After the break, Goran Jozinović was shown a second yellow card just minutes into the half. Then seconds later, Duje Čop put Hajduk ahead after connecting on a pass from Ante Vukušić. Hajduk tried to hold on for the win, but Ivan Krstanović was brought down for a penalty kick in the 77th minute and the 28 year old converted from the spot. Hajduk are now winless in three and drop to a tie with Rnk Split for the second spot on the table. NK Zagreb are still in the relegation zone and will need at least a draw at Hrvatski Dragovoljac next Saturday to ensure a place in top flight Croatian soccer.
“I have seen little progress compared to the previous game, but it is far from what Hajduk must show. It is amazing how we give up goals, with theses players, it should not happen. However, I must be satisfied. Twice we had a lead, but we were down a player the entire second half.”
~Hajduk manager, Ante Miše after the match
“In another situation I would be happy with the game and score, but I think we should have finished the game with three points. Now we must beat Dragovoljac in the last round if we want to stay in the league.”
~NK Zagreb manager, Luka Pavlović after the match
ZAGREB: Bašić – James, Tokić, M. Pavlović, Rendulić – Abdurahimi, Jugović, Šovšić, Marković – Chiavarini, Krstanović
HAJDUK: Radošević – Režić, Maloča, J. Buljat, Jozinović – Tičinović, Trebotić, M. Ljubičić, Tomasov – Čop, Vukušić
NK Zadar [ 0-0 ] Dinamo Zagreb
Photo: Marko Miščević/CROPIX; NK Zadar-Dinamo Zagreb
In front of a crowd of 2,500, a fatigued Dinamo and a relegation threatened Zadar played to a scoreless draw on Saturday. Marijo Tot made his HNL debut on the bench for Dinamo, taking over for Vahid Halilhodžić for the final two HNL matches. The Croatian champions looked to just kick the ball around just to pass time and take the first flight back to Zagreb. Ivan Kelava made some fine saves in this game and should surely get a call from Slaven Bilić for the upcoming Georgia game. Zadar picked up a valuable point as a draw in Rijeka on Saturday will secure them a spot in the HNL next season.
“We knew how important this point is to Zadar so in the end I think it is a realistic outcome on the division of points. At moments we played well, but we also had terrible moments. As for opportunities, we created several good ones and we had a couple situations where we failed to complete the final pass. I felt the fatigue on the players. The match against Varaždin left a mark on us, and also we are winding down the end of a long season.”
~Dinamo Zagreb manager, Marijo Tot commenting after the match
Photo: Marko Miščević/CROPIX; Ivan Kelava(left) in action against Zadar
ZADAR: Gluić – Glumac, Skočibušić, Puljić – Maruna, Banović, Pezo, Surać, Vasilj – Mršić, Santini
DINAMO: Kelava – Vrsaljko, Cufre, Tonel, Ibanez – Ademi, Calello – Rukavina, Sammir, Morales – Beqiraj
NK Lokomotiva [ 2-0 ] Cibalia Vinkovci
Photo: Pixsell; NK Lokomotiva-Cibalia Vinkovci
Lokomotiva Zagreb might have saved a place in the first division next season with an impressive 2-0 result over Cibalia Vinkovci on Friday. Gambian defender Lamin Samateh opened up the scoring in the 9th minute with a lucky deflected shot that deflected into the bottom of the net. Cibalia Vinkovci should have at least left Maksimir with a point after Ivan Bebek failed to call two penalty kicks in the first half. In the 55th minute of play, Frane Vitaić would equalize for Cibalia, only to have the goal overturned because of a handball. Former Dinamo Zagreb striker, Dodô, would seal the deal for Lokomotiva with a strike from 16 yards out in the 69th minute. Lokomotiva are out of the relegation zone and will most likely need a result at Poljud on Saturday to stay in the league next season.
“I don’t believe that these three points will be enough for us to stay in the league. We must return from Pljud with at least a point to have any hope of staying in first division.”
~Lokomotiva manager Krunoslav Jurčić
NK Lokomotiva 2 -0 Cibalia Vinkovci
Cibalia Vinkovci manager Stanko Mršić declined to speak with the press after the loss.
Inter Zaprešić [ 1-1 ] NK Rijeka
Photo: Slavko Midzor/Pixsell; Inter Zaprešić-NK Rijeka
In front of only 300 fans, Inter Zaprešić and NK Rijeka split the points in a 1-1 draw in Zaprešić. After a scoreless first half, Antonini Čulina put Rijeka ahead in the 55th minute after tapping in a goal headed over the Inter keeper by Vedran Gerc. It took the hosts only minutes to equalize as Aleksandar Trajkovski fired in off the post. Adrian Valentić almost won it for Inter after his free kick try came off the woodwork late in the second half.
HNK Šibenik [ 1-0 ] NK Varaždin
Photo: Marko Miščević/CROPIX; NK Varaždin-HNK Šibenik
A goal by Mehmed Alispahić in the 10th minute was all that separated Šibenik and Varaždin on Saturday at Šubićevac. Marko Čulić was credited with the assist as the 23 year old Bosnian scored his 12th goal of the season. Šibenik swapped spots with Varaždin in the win and give themselves breathing room heading into the match at Karlovac on Saturday. Varaždin have now lost their last five matches, including the Croatian cup final against Dinamo on Wednesday. Varaždin will most likely need a result against Inter Zaprešic on Saturday to stay in the league next season.
NK Istra 1961 [ 1-0 ] Slaven Belupo
Photo: Marko Miščević/CROPIX; NK Istra 1961-Slaven Belupo
In front of 2,000 fans, a goal from Henry Belle was all NK Istra 1961 needed to register a 1-0 win over Slaven Belupo and have a chance at top flight soccer next season. Stadion Aldo Drosina was rocking as NK Istra 1961 have put together four consecutive wins at home. Slaven Belupo was missing seven players through injuries and yellow cards. NK Istra 1961 must win in Cibalia on Saturday and need help or they will play return to HNL2.
Istra 1961: Škorić, Sušić, Pauletić, Barišić, Kacić, Anđelković, Linić (89. Plantić), Alimi, Roce, Belle (81. Kovačević), Tepurić (58. Eliomar).
Slaven Belupo: Rodić, Frljužec, Rogulj, Kokalović, Geng, Milardović, Gregurina, Mujanović (86. Kuprešak), Vojnović (74. Poljak), Havojić, Poredski (74. Papa)
NK Osijek [ 0-0 ] Karlovac
Photo: Marko Miščević/CROPIX; NK Osijek-Karlovac
In a battle of mid-table teams, Osijek and Karlovac played to a scoreless draw at Gradski vrt on Saturday. Osijek fan group, Kohorta, announced this week that Osijek keeper Ivan Kardum was their choice for player of the year. The 23 year old, former U-19 Croatian international, didn’t confirmed this recognition after making save after save and preserving the draw.
Rnk Split [ 1-0 ] Hrvatski Dragovoljac
Photo: Marko Miščević/CROPIX; Rnk Split-Hrvatski Dragovoljac
Rnk Split looked to be coming off a hangover after clinching a Europa League spot last week, struggling in a 1-0 win against an already relegated Hrvatski Dragovoljac on Saturday. Ante Erceg, just minutes after entering the game, scored the game winner for Split and quite possibly a second place finish in the HNL. Hajduk and Rnk Split are now equal on points going into the last week of the season. Hajduk Split will entertain Lokomotiva while Rnk Split will have to slay the dragon away to Dinamo. Rnk Split will be without Ivica Križanac after he picked up his third yellow.
“Before the match i was saying that Dragovoljac is a quality team, and they showed this today. This win was not easy, and we were a bit relaxed after just qualifying for Europe. Too bad we will be without Križanac at Maksimir because of a third yellow card, but we are going to Zagreb looking for a positive result, even a win if the opportunity strikes.”
~RNK Split manager Ivan Katalinić
“We had a lot of problems arranging a team for the match with Split, which showed that they deserved the win. We are left disappointed, because we played well in the second half of the season, but couldn’t overcome a terrible start to the season.”
~Hrvatski Dragovoljac manager Davor Mladina
HNL TABLE THROUGH 29 MATCHES
~Denis Svirčić and Ante Kvartuč reporting from LA
