Hajduk Split had the opportunity to make things interesting in the Croatian Prva Liga Sunday night at Poljud as they entered their match against leaders Dinamo Zagreb only five points back. A win in front of their home fans would have brought the deficit to two points, however, they couldn’t stop Dinamo’s Mario Gavranović, who scored twice (14′, 59′) to put the champions-elect in front on two occasions.
A packed Poljud was thumping and saw a glimmer of hope when Mijo Caktaš equalized in the 25th minute through a free kick from 28 yards out but it was all for nothing as Dinamo would pull away in the second half. Poor defense on a corner kick lead to the winning goal and Hajduk will only have themselves to blame. Hajduk now trail Dinamo by eight points with only five matches remaining in the season.
Caktaš scores from 28-yard free kick
Gavranović scores the winner on dicey Hajduk defense
Rog came on in the 80th!!!!!
haha- Congrats to Dinamo.
I thought Hajduk was the better team today and created more chances, forcing Livakovic into some great saves. Hit the crossbar twice as well.
Radosevic had another good game at defensive midfield, and this kid Basic has some talent.
@Cico. The fix was in as usual.
Bravo Dinamo.
@BobbyV-Hello? You there? Anybody out there?
hey @iggy, you watch the vid yet? peace
Krovinovic was probably the best youngster to play this season, putting in good performances for a solid Benfica side. Shame he got injured though.
Geez, that second Dinamo goal was tragic, who the hell was marking?
Who saw today’s game? Any highlights and video of it?
Two Pizdas in a Pod – Ziva Istina & Ante B . !!!
Halilovic vs Real Betis:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_hFvwm3pns8
Rijeka beat Osijek. One behind Hajduk, 5 behind Dinamo now.
Don’t forget about Pjaca. He had an electric Euro when he was called up and if he brings that same fire to the World Cup je could be one of our most important creative players and our missing piece. AND he’s been pretty decent for Schalke on loan.
Anyone know a good site to stream the Hajduk v Dinamo game?
Personally, normally i get Iggy – 11 (cos Iggy and i was born 11/11) but that Oluja one is even heaps better lol
Hahaha holy shit that Oluja jersey idea is tops.
Also make sure to get it on the away one that’s black, and then wear it to a Serbia game in the WC. LEL
Put Oluja #95.
I havent put anything on a jersey in a long time but if I did I think I’d just go with a number.
If you’re more of a defender or a holding player go with a 4 5 or 6. If you’re a creative or attacking type go with 7 8 or 10. If you’re an outright goal scorer go with a 9 or 11.
The reason I’m asking is because I remember Ziva always had a problem with this (wearing another mans name). I don’t want to make myself look like a 36 year old fool.
@Poglavnik good one lol. I should consider putting peoples aliases from this site, like Slavonac or Iggy or Laknat or maybe even Kvartuch on it.
Juse don’t put Lovren 69 on it.
@Ivan
You should put Poglavnik 41 on your jersey.
https://www.croatiaweek.com/video-new-football-stadium-for-osijek-presented/
Rog avg 9 min/game in Serie A.
@CroatianPerson85
Depending on how you define regular playing time but IMO Perica, Balic, Rog, Brekalo, and Vlasic have not been regulars. At least Rog is playing at a Champions League level club so he should be getting some decent experience without playing but at his age (22), he should be starting somewhere especially if he’s going to start for us in the near future.
Brekalo still looks like a baby and needs to fill out more. He is still young (19) and playing a minor role regularly. I don’t think he needs to move necessarily but it would be nice if this “wunderkid” was a regular starter.
Perica and Balic both play for a weak Italian team that is nowhere close to even playing in the Europa League. I think limited playing time maybe more of a reflection of their skill level. Not sure if either will ever be good enough for the Repka. Both still young prospects though.
I have no explanation for Vlasic. It’s my understanding that Everton fans want to see him play; especially now that the season is a wash.
I’m just about to purchase the Croatian home and away jerseys. I would like some input about whose names I should put on the back? Is it weird to wear some other mans last name on my back other than my own? Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
to me, Stipe Perica and Balic are completely unknown! I never see them playing.
tbf 82nd minute rog plays about 10 mins a game
How many of our young guns need a different team to go to so they can play more – Perica, Balic, Rog, Brekalo, Vlasic? I don’t know or follow enough of them but apparently other than Brekalo the others don’t play much. Someone correct me if I am wrong please.
@Idemo-and sometimes not even those 3 mins. I wonder if Soul Champ is still hoping he starts for us? Soul?
true
Don’t forget rog plays regularly to. Every game almost. Just 3 minutes at a time.
@ Goku
I’ll admit that Balic has been playing regularly of late but he’s still only started 9 of 33 games while Brekalo has at least started 15 of 30. Just figured they could get more playing time elsewhere. Especially Vlasic, I don’t know whats going on over there.
@BobbyV – wasn’t inferring it isn’t a small step from 2nd (or 3rd) to 1st. I am stating that you are acting as if your prediction had come true, when they are actually in the position we all thought they would be.
Don’t worry, I will give you props if your prediction comes true, but until then, Hajduk is in the position most would have predicted. Understand?
Balic and Brekalo play pretty regularly
Seems like Heber has really worked out (scoring wise, not wins) for Rijeka and Gavranovic looks to be CF that Dinamo has missed since Cop left. I just want more Croatian teams playing in Europe so hopefully all three (and maybe Osijek) can make some noise in European qualifying. Hopefully, Coric stays and doesn’t leave for a team like Roma to sit on a bench like many others who left too early (Balic, Vlasic, and Brekalo).
Fyi for anyone interested in Authentic National team gear from the source … the HNS website now ships worldwide.
http://www.hnswebshop.hr/medunarodna-dostava-hns
I definitely would not blame Halilovic for Las Palmas being relegated. He only just came back from a long injury a month or two ago. They have not been winning games since he’s been back, but it’s not like he was ever going to carry them.
On the subject of the national team. I would definitely love to see someone like Stipe Perica or even someone like Marko Livaja get a call to the World Cup. I am really tired of players like Duje Cop who get like 5 minutes total and add nothing when they are playing getting called up. I would definitely keep Kalinic in, but Kramaric or Mandzukic are 100% the starters for me. I also think Josip Brekalo should at least be in the provisional squad. I was pretty annoyed that there were hardly any young players called up for the recent friendlies. The squad seems like it’s almost a lock already. I’m hoping that a lot of players in the provisional squad get a chance against Brazil considering the final squad is not due until the next day. Our national team will struggle if the younger players are not given more chances soon. The current generation will diminish in their abilities and eventually retire leaving us with tons of players with minimal international experience.
Predicting Hajduk second or third hardly makes anyone a genius. It’s a huge step up to say they’ll win the title, not a small one as you infer, considering the run Dinamo has been on.
Dinamo still might take it, but, like this write up states, at least it makes this Sunday’s game one of the most interesting the league has had in a long time, especially for those of us who also follow the Spanish, English, German and French leagues where the titles have already been decided.
Can’t blame relegation on one young player.
Bobby V- it was I who said it was a bold prediction once you took away your caveats about injuries and transfers.
That said, you are talking as if your prediction has come true. I think everybody on this site would have predicted Hajduk in 2 or 3 place.
@all – On one hand, I am excited for Halilovic’s progress, but on the other hand, he is about to send his 2nd La Liga team into relegation in his last 2 La Liga years.
2 La Liga years, 2 relegations. Not a good look for your NT resume. What say you Croatiansports nation?
@ Slavonic, totally agree with you about Kalinic. Don’t understand why Croatia is so slow to try out new forwards with the rest of the first team. It seems like that has always been the case.
Like to see Stipe Perica given a shot. Sometimes a player will perform for the national team even more than for their club – take a chance that he would be surrounded by better players than at Udinese – opposite the situation for guys like Modric and Rakitic.
Why Radosevic was never given a second shot after being one of the best players against Belgium a few years ago when Stimac selected him comes to mind. It was the best showing by a DMF in a long time. It’s not like we have too many choices in that position as it is.
Halilovic also needs another chance, and Lovre Kalinic needs to start in goal.
i didnt even realize erceg and frank left
I do remember you saying that Bobby!
For the sake of the sport and healthy competition, as much as I can’t stand Hajduk fans (although I do and always have liked Hajduk), I really hope Hajduk wins on the weekend and then wins the league as well. Croatian soccer needs more competition and if Dinamo lose it’s probably the best way to keep Hajduk wanting to stay at the top and also forcing Osijek, Rijeka and Dinamo to fight for that top spot as well!
What did I tell you back in August right after I saw in person Hajduk beat Brondby and then Dinamo tie Skenderbeu two weeks later?
…that Hajduk was the better team and would win the league this year.
Got a few chuckles from a few of you, even after I said Hajduk would still win after losing Vlasic to Everton.