The ‘anti-football’ show is finally over in Split. That’s the good news. The bad news? Hajduk’s Europa League season has ended before it even began. With Stoke City winning the first leg in England 1-0, all the Brits needed was a scoreless draw in Croatia to clinch a berth into the next round; and that’s exactly what they played for.
THE DAGGER
Hajduk controlled possession for the entire match but couldn’t break Stoke’s nine-man bunker. Although Hajduk had two fantastic chances in the first half, both missed wide of frame. The second half saw more of the same bunkering tactics that Greece and Inter Milan have been accused of in recent years. Hajduk didn’t have the speed, touch nor pace to work around it. The Splićani were even scared to punch in their corner kicks as they chose to play in short balls instead. An injury time own goal for Stoke would stamp Hajduk’s exit out of Europa League. Now they can concentrate on chasing Dinamo Zagreb and maybe even an HNL title.
MATCH STATS
But how sweet would it have been to hear, “Vukušiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiić!!!!!!!!” one more time at Poljud during a Europa League match? Hajduk fans can only dream.
TOMASOV SURROUNDED BY STOKE PLAYERS. MOST OF THE GAME HAS LOOKED LIKE THIS FOR HAJDUK.
AT LEAST TORCIDA WAS STILL INTO IT
1995’S OPERATION STORM WAS LEGIT!
HAJDUK: Subašić – Maloča, Miličević, Andrić, Lima – Brkljača – Tomasov, Trebotić, An. Sharbini – Vuković, Vukušić.
STOKE CITY: Begović – Wilkinson, Shawcross, Huth, Wilson – Pennant, Whelan, Delap, Etherington . Walters, Jones.
I like the love and respect shown by Vlad and anonymous. Great example to some of you hotheads 🙂
@anonymous,
you can sign in at the end of your comment, like this(anything but just a "Ante" will do):
~Denis Svircic, San Pedro, CA
@vlad said.
anonymous,
i must apologize i just read i thought when you said vlad you were reffering to me, i fell really stupid and must apologize that was really militant minded of me to rush to such jugdment its just when you said vlad i thought you were reffering to me sorry again i feel really foolish, i admit it was me this time who made the dumd comment!
Thank you for the apology. I was referring to Vladimir Petrović in my original comments. Defintely not to you. You and I cheer for the same team therefore all is good! 🙂
@vlad said.
As of that game the only thing that wories me is not our players, as i agree we have a far more superior midfield, is if our coach tells our players too play cautious. we have to go into that game attacking only then will that overated defence be broken. A defence is only as good as your mid. our superioir mid will be cancelled if we play cautious. And in recent years bilic has shown he is a cautious coach!
I agree 100%! We have to attack them to show the holes in their over rated defense! If we play cautious we will lose! If we attack them they will eventually crack. Great point my friend!
One of these days I will create a user name. The day is getting closer I believe. 🙂
anonymous,
i must apologize i just read i thought when you said vlad you were reffering to me, i fell really stupid and must apologize that was really militant minded of me to rush to such jugdment its just when you said vlad i thought you were reffering to me sorry again i feel really foolish, i admit it was me this time who made the dumd comment!
Anonymous,
Another guy on this blog who dosent read too well and makes stupid comments. When the hell did i start talking about croatia and serbia tell me, go read the whole blog and tell me where i started talking about croatia and serbia, before you insult me. I started discussing using croatia national team as a example that just because a team plays antifootball, you cant put all the blame on the other team, some blame must be put on yourself, i used croatia and georgia as a example. so before you attack me go and learn how to read!
As of that game the only thing that wories me is not our players, as i agree we have a far more superior midfield, is if our coach tells our players too play cautious. we have to go into that game attacking only then will that overated defence be broken. A defence is only as good as your mid. our superioir mid will be cancelled if we play cautious. And in recent years bilic has shown he is a cautious coach!
@Denis Svirčić said.
@anonymous,
great comment. I never been quoted three times in a comment before.
Thanks Denis!
@ziva istina said.
@anonymous……there is no gaurentee about the games with serbi yet. There might one in 2012 and another in 2013, but nothing is set yet. Bpth might be in 2013. We wont know until November or December.
Ziva, thank you for the excellent insight.
@anonymous……there is no gaurentee about the games with serbi yet. There might one in 2012 and another in 2013, but nothing is set yet. Bpth might be in 2013. We wont know until November or December.
@Zach,
I agree
@anonymous,
great comment. I never been quoted three times in a comment before.
I'm not sure if they "have the funds for a new stadium." I do know that the city of Zagreb doesn't want to pay.
If anyone watched BVB today, thats how football should be played
@Denis Svirčić said.
Let the shit talking begin…
"Hopefully Bilic will return to coach Croatia. I know how to outwitted him, and Serbia is better than Croatia. Of all the Croatian players, only Modric would be able to play in our best eleven." – ~Serbian manager, Vladimir Petrović for novi Max
Ok Vlad, have another one! Our midfield is far superior to that of the Serbian midfield and if you control the midfield you control the game. Just ask Barcelona or Spain. To make comments such as this shows how scared you really are. We will control the midfield and the game! That midfield they have does not scare me at all.
@Denis Svirčić said.
Serbia is hoping to play both matches in 2013 and they dont want to play the away match anywhere outside of Zagreb.
One match will be played in 2012 and the other in 2013. That is a guarantee. They just need to determine who gets the first and second games.
@Denis
We will start recruiting for the Cro-Serbia game in Zagreb once the schedule comes out. Word out of Zagreb is that Maksimir will eventually get a roof. Why they didnt build a new stadium is mind boggling.
Agreed! Question though. Do they have the funds for a new stadium? I am thinking that if they did it would have been done already.
@Andrej said.
I wish the dates would come out so I knew if I would be able to attend this game! I dont care what the cost is if its in Zagreb that is going to be one of the greatest games I could go see in my lifetime. No atmosphere could beat that…
Perfectly stated! This game is a must see!!!!!
After today's games, any type of win against Guatemala and Croatia go through to the round of 16. England have already qualified without scoring a goal.
Vlad,
I always like your comments and agree with you 99% of the time. In this situation, I don't think that Stoke "had" to put 10 behind the ball. Hajduk is not Manchester United. Also, fans don't want to see this type of game. Football is there to entertain. If half of the teams in the world play this way, no one would watch.
I agree with you that Stoke wouldn't have played the same with the score being tied 1-1.
@anonymous,
I like it that the serbian coach came out like this. 1) more motivation for Croatia 2) lets see if Croatia give in to the Serbian demands.
who the fuck does the serbian coach think he is making demands like that?
This article brings up an interesting debate. What aspect of football is most important, skilled open play or winning?. Arsenal seems to be struggling with this for the last few seasons.
I find it frustrating that an EPL team would bunker down against a HNL team. Would a La Liga or Bundesliga team seek a result in a similar fashion?
Personally, I want to be entertained. It does not matter what league,language, club or national affiliation. Perhaps if my money/league status was at stake, winning would be far more important.
If Croatia played like Greece or Stoke, perhaps they would win a Euro or two, but I would not appreciate it. IMHO Spain and Germany have the club/national systems that every country should emulate.
Denis,
I usually like your comments but i have to disagree with you, stoke did what they hade to do. I dont get what the problem is, if hajduk went up a goal on the road and defended the rest of the game i would have been proud a croatian team went to england on the road and WON!Because they didnt score on the road all they nedeed was a tie!
I gurantee you if the score had been 1-1 after the first leg stoke would have not played defensive as they would need to score. What did people expect its a small team from the epl, to compete with the manu's and chelsea, arsenal, they play a tough style, is that such a shock!
Andrej,
you must be the king of taking someones thouhgt's and twisting them into something it was not ment to be. What i am trying to say is, Dont cry over how anti football they played and because we dont play anti football, that gives us the right to s##it all over them. ESPECIALLY when we werent that much better over two games. That is just weak!
And of your comment if i want pace go watch the epl, another Dumb comment. 99% of club teams and national teams play players that compliment each other. They dont play 4 central midfielders aside eachother. Never has croatia played with blazing speed, but never have they in the history of our national team have they looked so slow compared to the rest of the world as of lately! And its not because we dont produce players! There are tons of players to choose from. last time i checked that 98 team had stanic on one side and jarni on the other makeing runs complementing the center mid! Thats soccer! so dont tell me just because i suggest more pace needs to be introduced into our line up, that makes me a epl fanatic!
@Andrej,
I agree with everything you wrote. You make a good point on the first game in Serbia.
The schedule will most likely come out sometime next year in Jan-March. I wish the schedule would come out too so I can mark my calendar(not that I have a 2012 or 2013 calendar).
We will start recruiting for the Cro-Serbia game in Zagreb once the schedule comes out. Word out of Zagreb is that Maksimir will eventually get a roof. Why they didnt build a new stadium is mind boggling.
I would effing put the match in Vukovar… haha 😉 jk but Zagreb will get the match anyway! Its where every big match is played and I dont see anything changing for Serbia…Split? Doubt it was even on the cards. I don't care where as long as we win or avoid losing in both matches. This is the hardest group we could have gotten and every match is a play your heart out one. There will be a lot of dropped points from all the teams but these 2 matches are the only ones I am worried about!
That is just shit talking…I dont really care if he rates Croatia or not. I dont care if he rates Bilic or not! In matches like this it will be playing your heart out and both sides will be there and do so. He does not rate our players thats for him to find out.
I personally hope first game is in Serbia so if any fines or penalties are handed out it is to there fans first as you know its bound to happen.
I wish the dates would come out so I knew if I would be able to attend this game! I dont care what the cost is if its in Zagreb that is going to be one of the greatest games I could go see in my lifetime. No atmosphere could beat that…
Let the shit talking begin…
"Hopefully Bilic will return to coach Croatia. I know how to outwitted him, and Serbia is better than Croatia. Of all the Croatian players, only Modric would be able to play in our best eleven."
~Serbian manager, Vladimir Petrović for novi Max
Serbia is hoping to play both matches in 2013 and they dont want to play the away match anywhere outside of Zagreb.
Those are some heavy demands. Lets see what the HNS does. What are their demands?
Perisic was solid today. Came in the 75th minute and did a good shift. The only issue is both wing positions he is fighting for scored on the day so he is in with some competition which will only make him work harder. Not to worried about Perisic he is talented and will get his chance especially in the Bundesliga he will just have to be patient. Just look at Mandza maybe he has finally settled in? I am not sold yet but I hope the guy improves because he does have good qualities in his game he just has to be consistent!
Stop feeding the anonymous trolls.
I think Perisic will be fine. if he is the type of player we hope and think he is, then he will get a chance to show himself. Dortmund in the CL, so he will have chances to play meaningful games in the Bundesliga if they decide to rest guys for the CL. From what I read in the German media it appears he played well in their preseason games.
@Anonymous,
You talk about cheating and "HONEST" football, I have one number for you:
'66
@second anonymous,
CroatianSports.com is coming. Like I said, "this is no BS."
We have a couple of things to update and a few problems to solve before we launch.
I'm as impatient as you are, believe me. However, we dont want to half ass this.
@Zach
I was afraid of this. I still think Perisic would have been better off at a mid table Bundesliga club.
Dortmund look amazing!!! It's going to be tough for perisic to get playing time
Where the fuck is CroatianSports.com….Yall said it will be up on friday and it ain't!! THIS IS BULL SHIT!!! I WILL MAKE MY OWN SITE IF I HAVE TO!!
Danas slavimo operacija oluja, svaka vam cast dobrovoljci, ratnici, i svi hrvati ko ponose za hrvatskom srcu.
bog I hrvati
Za Dom spremni
anon,
you can go support Stoke nobody cares! Feel free! Break a leg or two but preferable of your own players 😉
enjoy your tough guy mentality on the field! Support crunching tackles and set pieces because thats how you choose to play. Woohoo long balls, tackles, and set pieces! I am glad I dont watch because i would get sick but I am glad you guys have supporters and enjoy playing bottom of the table. Like I said its fair play you were better team you went on for a reason but it wont change the opinion for me that you are the most boring anti-football team in the world. I dont state opinions but facts 😉
good for you…..now, while you enjoy watching Stoke play, also enjoy the pale, toothless British women.
You beat a shit team, playing defensive boring soccer against a shit team. Kudos to you!!!
a day after I called you a bunch of charlatans, you still appear to be bleating and fixated about the stereotype image of Stoke City and the way we play football instead of chastising the talentless cowardly football bunch of limp wristed losers that is Hadjuk split.
As For Stoke city, perhaps their cup semi final victory of 5-0 against that 'decent football team' Bolton or perhaps a 3-1 Victory against Arsenal or even, a 4-0 hammering of Newcastle United last season would remind people exactly how 'anti football' Stoke city really are -AND because we can do this in our simplistic approach, Id rather watch Stoke city play Their uncomplicated brand of HONEST football than, watch a bunch of cheats, divers and effeminate cowards any day !
MALMO!!!!
@Ziva,
Yeah, I didn't mean for them to come to the HNL. I meant it for them to come to the NT. Sorry.
@Scout….players like that have no interest in the HNL and why would they. Only people who will come to the HNL are unproven young players that nobody else has heard of or given a chance.
if this kid is good (no clue) then I am sure the savez will aprroach him about the national team.
great news that pletikosa got a chance to play week in week out..
but the main concern is still the spurs players and simunic
modric
kranjcar (fight with pienaar,bale,VDV,lennon,mata?)
corluka (having to fight with hutton and walker for a RB spot.)
Someone mentioned that the HNL is becoming much more terrible than usual, I guess then these are the type of players we should be looking for. Diaspora.
Stjepan Kukuruzović a swiss born hrvat is on FC Zurich. Check that game against FC Bayern Munich, maybe he will play. He is a midfielder. Don't know if he has ever been called up to our U-21 team.
@Andrej:
Bolton actually play some decent football. However due to injuries,aging players, transfers, and loan expirations Klasnic may be riding that bus into the relegation zone this year. With Elmander and Sturridge gone, he is going to have to perform this year. When fit, I think he is more than capable but we will have to see how he holds up.
@Denis:
Pranjic did well defensively but, had one bad pass in the 1st half.
Olic captained the squad for the first 65 minutes. He played wide left/right and really did not provide much service to the CF (Petersen). He did force a bad clearance from the FCB GK in the 2nd half. That was the only time I got to see a glimpse of his pace during the game.
Vlad,
How does the title give Hajduk so much credit? They are more talented but they are anti-football. I don't get what you are trying to say. The better team won and that team was Stoke. In the end thats all that matters even if it makes my eyes bleed to watch them. Its like a couple years back Inter vs Barca and Mourinho destroyed the game with his approach in the end he beat Barca and went on the win the CL Final vs Bayern but for the talent that side had he really knew how to make them play some ugly soccer. Not taking anything away from there victories I just wont root for them as they are awful to watch…
As for your Georgia argument. You want genuine pace go watch PL because Croatia rarely has that. I agree Srna or Pranjic could have maybe played on the wings in midfield and have called for that too but either way the side that was put out should have been able to win so quit crying. Its one of those freak games and its not the first time its happened in our history and its not going to be the last either.
Good deal for Dinamo, but Malmo was able to win at Rangers and then bunkered down against them this week at home with the help of a few red cards.
Malmo is a good draw, now or never for Dinamo. No need to underestimate, but they couldn;t get a better draw
As for the three EL teams, I expected all three to go down. Varazdin were lucky just to have a result in the first leg. Hajduk were never going to beat Stoke, sorry, any Croatian club would struggle with Stoke, they just never see that rugby in the HNL
I will take Malmö over Genk that is for sure!
Im happy with Malmo!
Pletikosa signed for Rostov…not the greatest of moves…they could be relegation bound, but nevertheless at least we have a goalkeeper with a club and who will hopefully be playing weekly
its dinamo vs malmo, the team who knock out rangers.. they have a couple of brazilians and other foreign imports in their team..lets hope dinamo can make it to CL..
was mamic at the jajduk game?
@Zach,
unless something crazy happens Croatia will qualify for the next round with any kind of win against Guatemala. England will qualify for the next round without even scoring a goal unless Croatia win 5-0 and other results dont go their way.
@Vlad,
You make a good point. Ante and I are not saying that Hajduk is better than Stoke. In an open game I still think that Stoke would have come out on top but we will never know. The fans want to see Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield collide like two dinosaurs, not this jab and run bullshit from Holyfield. Just like we want to see Stoke play their game, not this 10 behind the ball bullshit.
In the end, all the credit to Stoke, the better team won. However, we would have liked to see them play the way they played in Stoke. For an EPL side to play 10 behind the ball against an HNL team is embarrassing. Bottom line, it takes away the excitement of the game.
We were just hoping for a more entertaining match.
Like you said "two games, zero goals." I agree. The better team won and the result most likely had nothing to do with "anti-football".
@Jack Vrankovic,
How does Olic look out there? I didnt get a chance to see him this preseason at all.
@Dan
Give Balakov time. Only so much he can do in a month. I was bitching about the corners as well, but if you look at the Stoke backline, they are like a line of skyscrapers in front of the goal. Huth was a beast today. Lets not judge Balakov until November or so.
@dinamoblogger
thanks for the link. Someone always wants a piece.
@anonymous
Farewell my good chap. Farewell to you and your bum bags. Off to the chip shop you go. Once again you Brits failed to impress. Bad footie, bad bad bad footie.
@Andrej
It doesnt look good for Hajduk. Thats true. Hajduk does have a better chance to finish 3rd than 1st. I agree with you on that. But something tells me that Hajduk will close that gap this year.
@Ziva Istina
The odds are still stacked high against Hajduk. Tomasov and Sharbini are much better compared to last season. Now that the pressure from Europa League is gone, Hajduk will have only the HNL to focus on this season. They pick up a decent playmaker and striker during the winter transfer and they have a shot at the title. Ivan Krstanović, Ante Rukavina, and Fatos Bećiraj just dont impress me. Krstanovic will really get worn down as the season progresses, playing 7+ games per month. Also, the pressure picks up as now he is playing at Maksimir instead of at Kranjčevićevoj.
Dont get me wrong, its still a long shot for Hajduk, but something tells me the gap will not be that big this year.(I already had a few games fixed this year. I will keep you posted)
All this rambling on against Stoke's style still doesn't alter the fact that Hajduk couldn't break down a one dimensional team.
If Hajduk played like Stoke and got through the tie I'm sure the opinions would be different i.e battling Hajduk, committed Hajduk, blah, blah, blah.
As a Hajduk fan, they simply weren't up to the task over two legs and Stoke's style has nothing to do with it. Balakov needs a full season in charge to get across fully what he wants from his players and the standards expected. Sir Alex Ferguson was one game away from the sack at Man Utd (after a very poor season) but got FA Cup Final win and the rest is history. Now, whilst not the greatest analogy, Hajduk's board need to give Balakov some time.
Still, all will be forgotten when they give Dinamo an almighty stuffing in the derby.
HAJDUK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Andrej,
Do you ever stop and think before you type on this blog. Or is your brain moving so fast with anger! no where did i write that stoke plays attractive football, no where did i say i like the way they play, no where did i say they dont play anti football. To me the headline Hajduk CANT BEAT ANTI FOOTBALL gives too much credit to hajduk. Why didnt it say hajduk gets blanked once again! so when we lost to georgia it was because they played anti football so well! It had nothing to do with the fact we didnt run for 90 minutes and we played with bascilly 4 average paced central midfielers and had no real pace to break it down!
There is a bright side.
Shawcross didn't break anyone's legs.
Even if Stoke were to win everything this season, they would be difficult to watch. JM's Inter were tough on the eyes sometimes (against BM and FCB etc.) yet they still had class players capable of moments of brilliance.
Stoke's style involves 50% Long Throw/Kick Pinball with 50% Late Negligent Tackles.
Since Hajduk and Dinamo are selling clubs in a feeder league, these competitions only provide good training/exposure for those who have not been sold to the highest bidder abroad.
On a side note. Did anyone watch BM play FCB in the Audi cup? I didn't see it mentioned on this site, but Olic and Pranjic got significant time against a decent Barcelona side. Olic played wide left and right in a game where Bayern took a more defensive stance. Does anyone think that he still has the same pace as pre surgery? From his positioning & team tactics it was hard for me to get a read on him.
Panama finish in 3rd with only 1 point. England finish in third after drawing every game nil-nil.
So a 5 goal lead gets us in for sure
Does anyone else already think that Balakov is a rubbish coach? I just think he got his tactics all wrong. I know that stoke were bunkering, but seriously why were 9 out of 10 corners passed in?? It defeats the purpose of it and makes it as useful as a throw in. This pass off crap also applied with half the free kicks! Id take Špaco over this guy any day.
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/transfer-news/Blackburn-sale-Nikola-Kalinic-to-Dnipro-held-up-as-former-club-Hajduk-Split-want-15-slice-of-6m-fee-article781124.html
vlad,
a)stoke is great at what they do and so is greece and we didnt beat them because of that!
b)that does not change the fact they play negatively! You cant defend there style of play as positive! Its just as arsenal vs barca with 0 shots in the 2nd leg of CL! yet they have the nerve to complain about officiating when there whole approach was negative that game. Its a team who never plays negative but chose to as an option. Stoke and Greece play negative consistently and are successful to a point because of it Greece more so than stoke!
Either way you cant label these teams as attractive teams to watch! They are NOT! Brazil, Spain, Barcelona, Arsenal, Bayern…thats attractive…Stoke, Greece, Bolton, ect…those teams play negative constantly! So yes its a very negative football approach it may get results but it does not change teh fact that they are ugly and ruin the game!
sorry! Dont agree with the anti football comments. we didnt beat stoke because we werent good enough, final! we didnt tie greece because of anti football being played, It was the lack of pace and creativity we were playing on our side! Two games zero goals enough said.
@ Ziva … honestly, I think even 5,000 is pushing it. They lost 2-0 btw, if anyone was actually wondering, but I'm sure you weren't. 🙂
Anon,
I promise you next time I meet an English woman I will take her to bed and give her the good old Stoke City beating. 😉
As for your bragging rights? You beat HAJDUK?! As many people know of them as they do Stoke…so essentially NOBODY! WOOHOO! You are right the better team of the two weak teams went on! Is that what you wanted to hear Hajduk isn't good and you barely were better. Way to break legs and elbow and do whatever you want to call it to show you are tough but it does not matter because you will forever be a little club in a big world of football as Hajduk is…you just cant accept that! You are anti-football and if you dont see it…well you are pathetic than! Good job and worst of luck in the future…break a leg as your motto would say 😛
Papadopoulos. Say it, you know you want to.
you are correct. I guess I was referring to their current line up with the mix of cro players and non-cro players.
Ziva,
Usually I agree with you and maybe I'm wrong but Dinamo hasn't bought any foreign players recently. In fact, they've been doing the opposite. Alispahic came from Sibenik, Krstanovic from Zagreb, Vida from Bayern/Osijek, etc. Unless I'm wrong, that is.
The previous foreign signings like Beqiraj, Sammir, Ibanez, Tonel, Cufre, Papadalalalakakaous (no longer plays, just an example), etc. are not too recent signings.
Farewell buddy…..let us know your pale-faced toothless women look like.
If Stoke are anti football what are Split?
cowards ? cheats ? divers perhaps ?
timewasters and uninjured lame players, rolling about like schoolgirls in the first leg perhaps?
in spite of intense provocation and thanks to a reasonably even handed referee, the right team went through
the 'anti footballers' Stoke city – leaving the cheats, cowards and divers to lament their loss – hope we never have to play such an unsporting sad bunch of charaltans ever again – farewell cheats !
@Colin……nobody cares about RNK Split….they have less than 5,000 fans.
@Andrej, I agree for the most part, but this is not Hajduk's worst team. They were much worse a few years ago.
@MC aka 'The Fool' said…your name says it all.
This is no rip job on Hajduk, its just stating the obvious about them and the league.
With dinamo increasing its purchases of non-croatian players, the quality of the national team will go down. There will be less top croatian players emerging as we go forward.
Why didn't the report just say Hajduk are just rubbish and cheats .
nothing about Split being diving cheats in that report .
Ok, ok, on reflection…..Hajduk are shit. I can no longer remain positive about them.
Think I'll follow Dinamo instead.
So anyone have any updates on the Fulham-Split game? That was today, right?
Outside of Ante Vukusic who in Hajduk has a shot in the starting 11 of Dinamo? I dont see it and I dont see Hajduk having a chance in hell this season! 20+ maybe not but closer to 20 than 5 i can promise you that. This Dinamo team is good as ever in recent years and this Hajduk team is sinking to as bad as ever in recent years…Hajduk is more likely to finish 3rd than 1st!
No way on this earth will Dinamo win the league by 20+ points.
@Denis….I expected better from you. I just don't see how this Hajduk team can stay close to dinamo. Jebiga, it is what it is.
I didn't come away impressed with Tomasov or Sharbini. Maybe Tomasov a bit, but not Sharbini. I think those two were the most active, but still lack the quality to create or finish when they get the chance. Tomasov is able to get open, but he only has his left foot and never used his right, or very rarely.
Sharbini was isolated on the right side many times but is unable to take his man one-on-one. I think both guys dribble too much and take one touch to many.
As for Stoke, I agree with the rest of you on their style of play. but, we all knew that going in.
Back to reality for croatian club soccer. Everyone is out with the exception of dinamo. Order seems to have been restored.
haha Stoke-on-Trent is probably the gayest city in the world. Who the hell names a city after two dudes f*cking. Go back to England you fag
Stoke's a joke.. we all know that. You wont see any of those pussy's celebrating in Split
Stoke fan? Ok. Defend Stoke and call me again when they win something because they are as likely to win Europa as Hajduk was(1 in 1000). You can call it football all you want and you can enjoy watching them play in a better league vs better opposition with 0% chance of winning anything.
I personally don't give two shits for Stoke and there anti-football tactics. 0 players in attack for almost an entire match? come on! I mean it gets results here and there but my point is its pathetic approach and you can have fun watching it I am just grateful I dont have to. Good job you beat a team nowhere near in quality…you are a bunch of pathetic players who go out and play dirty football and break legs and almost take pride in your approach. Nobody claimed Hajduk was better but you are not a good team…
Poor, Poor losers…
Call me bitter, but I have a new passion — it will be supporting any team that has the misfortune of playing Stoke.
I believe Hajduk desperately lacks a creative central midfielder. Until they fill that gaping hole, nothing will change. It will be a very long season indeed if Balakov expects Ljubicic or Trebotic to play that role.
Correct. When you put 9 men behind the ball and make no attempt to score a goal, that would be called anti-football.
Fact.
@anonymous,
stay anonymous. I like you there.
ha ha anti-football stoke? so diving and cheating is football for you then eh? 180 mins and your 'football' created zero decent chances, oh well concentrate on finishing 2nd in your league
No shame for Hajduk today. Tomasov and sharbini played well I thought. Most EPL sides have a dificult time breaking Stoke's defense. Stoke is not Helsinki.
I might be that "fool who commented that Hajduk has a team this year to challenge dinamo." Once again, I might be thinking with my heart, but we shall see. Dinamo are favorites of course, but I have a good feeling about:
1) Balakov
2) Dinamo most likely in Europa League group stage, fatigue will set in
3) Krstanovic struggling early
4) Dinamo summer/winter transfer sales?
Brain says Dinamo win league by 5-10 points, heart says Hajduk will compete till the end.
Well, at least we tied Real Madrid a few weeks ago 😉
Awkward attempt for a clearance (fouled or off-balance?) leads to an own goal.
First, there is no shame is losing to an EPL side, none. Hajduk gave everything, but they are just not good enough.
That said, there is no talent on Hajduk today…none How many of these hajduk players could crack the dinamo starting 11.
All the possesion in the world means nothing when you can't string passes in the opponent's third.
Now, time for me to gloat……….Where is that fool who commented that Hajduk has a team this year to challenge dinamo? based on what?
I will correct an earlier statement that I made…..dinamo will not win the league by 15-20 points, but will win it by 20+ points.
The talent gap is too great.
lol ^^^
anyway, there's the 90' goal that will sink Hajduk…
Just jinxed them. Sorry guys, always next year!
Hey Anonymous,
Jebi se.
Is that Croatian enough for you?
Being English and a Hajduk fan (family from Dubrovnik) I'd just like Hajduk to win for themselves and Croatian football not because Stoke are 'English C**ts'.
ANTE B rooting for Hajduk????
Did I hear that right?
Great, great game and excellent performance by Hajduk. Come on bili, beat those english c-nts for me on my birthday! As much as I hate your team and all that it stands for, beat the english!
Anon,
Aj sad ti lijepo tipkaj iskljucljivo na hrvatskom jeziku da te cijeli svijet razumije.
Anon…its sad that you care.
Shite, I missed the first half! Come on bijeli! Win it on penalties if you have to!
hajduk not converting their passes very well
its sad how you have to translate everything for these real "croatians"