Hajduk Split were able to bounce back after a tough loss to Slovenian club, FC Kopar yesterday at Poljud, beating them 4-1, winning the tie overall with a 6-4 aggregate score.
Tomislav Kis wasted no time after the start of the match, and scored the opening goal in the second minute.
Newcomer, Jefferson de Jesus Santos, a native of Brazil, scored his first goal as a member of Hajduk, and it was certainly one to remember.
The Brazilian launched a powerful strike from 30 yards out and left the Kopar goalkeeper absolutely helpless as the ball screamed into the net.
Mijo Caktas and Anton Maglica both scored goals of their own to finish the match on to 4-1.
The Bili will now move on to face Norway’s Stromsgodset IF, who finished in fourth place in Norway’s top league.
Unfortunately, Hajduk was the only Croatian club to advance in the Europa League tournament.
NK Lokomotiva traveled to Greece to face PAOK. Lokomotiva were leading the tie after finishing the first game 2-1, but the Lokosi were sadly put in their place yesterday when PAOK stomped them 6-0.
The Lokosi were down 4-0 by the end of the first half, leaving them with little hope for advancement.
HNK Rijeka also bowed out of the tournament a much earlier than expected.
FC Aberdeen beat the Croatian club last week on Croatian soil 3-0, leaving Rijeka a mountain to climb if they hoped to advance.
Rijeka nearly summited that mountain, taking a 2-0 lead over the Scotts but Aberdeen struck back twice and tied the scoring, thus advancing with a 5-2 aggregate score.
Mexicans have hot females Selena Gomez plus many others. What’s the bet Croatia make the World Cup and then loses to someone like Mexico again and goes out in the group stage.
Kalinic scored a double for Dniporo. We got Perica, Rebic, Kramaric, Mandzukic and Olic are still useful, and who knows how Santini will go this year at Standard Liege. Don’t know much about the Croatian league.
We got midfielders galore, but how many forwards do we got in da pipeline!? Whaddabout Hajduk’s “Rainmaker” Kiš? Kid scored today. Maybe he pans out to be sometin’…beats me
I meant 1.5 years for Jelavic
That’s true but I think good players make their opportunities by either being in the right place or making quick plays in the box…Jelavic runs like a lumberjack and he did well for 2.5 years scoring a lot of first timers and I think Kramaric is a lot better and really shifty…and can score, so I just think once he adapts to the bigger, stronger and faster play, he’ll be good.
My concern about him is his pace. I think he is solid, but doesn’t do anything that makes he think he is a difference maker. I think he is better than someone like Kalinic.
Of all our players, I think Kramaric will be the one I watch closely this season to see how he performs. I think we are going to see a gradual decline with Mandzuka. So much of his game is based on his physicality and when that begins to go, so will his game. Mandza doesn’t have the technical skills to make up for diminishing physical tools. And that is why another forward is key.
We’ll go with 8-10 goals, I believe he gets that no problem this year. Confident Ranieri will play him more and get the best out of him. So if you can score for Leicester, should have no problem scoring with Croatia with the midfield we’ve got.
That’s a safe and fair answer Ziva but I think he has the potential to be a lot better! I don’t believe even Dudu was as much of a goal scorer as he was in Croatia so I think this comes down to Kramaric adapting to playing at a faster pace against a lot stronger, faster and tougher opponents…and I think with his history, he can do it!
I guess it means by what you mean doing well? I think success for him will be 8-10 goals in the EPL. He is a guy who will be on the national team roster, but I don’t have confidence in him scoring goals against better teams.
@Ziva Istina
Do you see him doing well at club level this year?
Guys…we just can’t go throwing in players at that level and hope for the best, it’s not an expiriment…this is the real deal. Radosevic has gone one step backwards on the past 2 years and although I think Kramaric will be good, he has to re-gain his form…the guy lost some of what he had when he arrived in England and it’ll take time to get back to where he was.
with that said, I do think Kramaric will be a good option and I also think a few of our younger guys will also be good to start giving minutes to…we are in good position for the Euro’s and should start giving some minutes to these kids!
I don’t see Kramaric as an answer on the international level. Toughest thing to do in soccer is score consistently and we don’t have that right now.
North…yeah buddy…so was I by saying the tunnel is useless to return, any criminal can walk right into Mexico!
@ Peter North
I expect Andrej Kramaric to be the answer to your question, not writing off Mandzukic I believe he still has something to offer, all depends on which way Kovac wants them to play. All up to Kovac now, we have the players.
@ Slavonac, you do realize I’m making a joke, yes?
@ Hanmer, I’m just wondering who is going to put the ball in the net up front for the NT. Mandzukic can’t be relied upon and after him who do well really have that we can count on in our forward ranks?
Radosevic still young, yes he’s a long way off, but I’d like to think we’re trying to groom someone to play that CDM roll. I’m looking at the names Soul Champ bought forward for the CDM roll and Brozovic I see as more of an attacking midfielder, Lovren and Jedvaj as defensive options, Jedvaj CB or RB. I agree with Soul Champ, exciting times ahead. I’d like to be coaching this team, so many options. This team is going places.
North…those tunnels are meant to enter The U.S….Mexico could care less if the biggest drug dealers in the world cross into their country, they think it’s good for business…why else would you think El Chapo can walk freely for 14 years?
Jamaica was not very good and I’m kinda surprised they made it to the finals…After the first 20 shaky minutes for Mexico, they ended up making those huge Jamaicans look pretty weak!
I just hope the tunnels are large enough so the Mexican coach can make it. Dude is one portly fella.
@Peter North…….CONCACAF got what they wanted, the winner take all (Confederations Cup birth) game in October. The Rose Bowl will be sold out. Millions in ticket sales and the TV network in Mexico and the two TV networks in the US are happy.
@peter north
Lol. Too funny.
Too bad the Mexicans won the Gold Cup. Fortunate to be in the final.
Guess they will bring the trophy back home via a complex tunnel system.
Radosevic??????/ he is a long way away.
I can accept Vrsaljko n the squad. While not outstanding at the club level, he has been solid. He has earned a spot. Unlike someone like a Rbeic or the bosandzero Halilovic. Remember, you have to earn it. You gain more respect from teammates that way too.
So, back to the news today. What did we learn today…….
We learned jadan, mali i nemocan hajduk is still jadan, mali i nemocan. No depth on the team which is not a surprise.
What else did we learn today???? Barbie Hrvatska jock sniffing and hero worshipping with the half hrvat, Novak Djokovic, at Umag.
@Soul Champ
Srna should be added in that impressive speed crew list. Srna fastest man at the last World Cup. Srna right midfield, Vrsaljko right back, I don’t see a problem with that. For me so long as Srna keeps his speed he plays, heart and soul player. I agree with you on the CDM position, if we can get that right to allow Modric to play with more freedom we’re set. I’m hoping for Badelj or Radosevic for CDM postion.
Vrsaljko is ready bro, I like him!
Slavonac,
What would be a healthy Srna transition ?
God bless him as he gives his heart to the Vatreni and still has something to contribute but I can’t stomach another cut back inside that congests our midfield attack.
Soul Champ,
I agree that it’s good Luka is healthy but I just don’t think a training drill is newsworthy.
We lack speed in defence and could use speed down the right side of the field.
@ Slavonac from Canada
Big deal list :
1- Modric is healthy and quick.
2- Running with Ronaldo for 10 meters is epic.
3-Luka on video doing anything is AWESOME.
4- repeat steps 1-3 if need be.
Man could you imagine if Rebic could develop some game to compliment that raw power and speed.
We need to add to the speed crew:
Perisic
Kovacic
Rebic
Halilovic
Vrsaljko
Vida
Jedvaj
Any one else has wheels I should know about ?
We add a bit of speed to our play and our midfield will really start creating.
Barca and Real Madrid have speed attackers that are boys put into space.
Jarni was a thorough bred in the left side.
I’m really not sure why the Modric/Ronaldo video is such a big deal…it was a practice drill, not a race.
i saw that modric /ronaldo clip. i was actually pretty impressed with modric. looks like he kept up till he stopped running
the group looks interesting. no easy game. but i think it’s still much better than playing in a group with a major power like germany
and since no team will go flawless, the best on average should advance which i think will be croatia
tough to tell how this stuff will shake out though. this is 1.5 – 3 yrs forward. it’s tough to tell how our squad will develop (will kramaric be any good / will mandzo,rakitic, modric age / will perisic take the next step/ who will play any of our defender positions / will kovacic, halilovic, pjaca, rebic develop or get stuck in no man’s land )
so many questions of our own team. i can’t even begin to dissect how 2.5 yr forward ukraine will look
@ Hammer
Yeah … Fragile ego of Ronaldo, it what probably makes him such an extraordinary individual player BUT a poor teammate.
But I’ll take that ability to explode by the defenders.
@ Amte B
That level may be returning sooner than later. Just need to make sure the clowns at the savez don’t get in the way of the natural talent flow.
In the third qualifying round of the champions league last year Dinamo Zagreb got eliminated by Aab of Denmark so Molde of Norway won’t be easy.
I remember that there was a time where we would look at the names of the teams in the group and just laugh. I miss the late 90’s early 2000’s sometimes.
That explosion is what caught my eye. Looked like Ronaldo took exception to Modric trying to keep up with him.
good to see modric back in action and looks strong
kept up with ronaldo pretty well
@ Hammer
Love Luka and is quick feet … But man if we had someone who can explode like Ronaldo!
@ Svima
Just watched Brozovic.
He looks like the Rakitic of Inter.
We have the best troje midfield in Europe.
Brozovic Is 22!
____Modric _____________Rakitic
____________Brozovic__________
Tko ima bolje nego nas?
The “golden triangle of DESTINY!”
Man I would not want to play us. No wonder folks are planting nefarious elements at our matches.
Bog i Hrvati
Did you see Modric race Ronaldo at training.
@ Cro v Ant
Yes we need a NEW source code for some of our fellow Veliki Hrvati, ali sve znaju.
@ Svima
Modric will be like Pirlo and will only be 32 through the World Cup . He does not rely on speed and athleticism (he has gotten stronger at Real).
Rakitic will be 30 and at the height of is powers as a field general. He too does not rely on speed in his game. And will be more powerful at 30!
Having stated the above, the squad will need all the other players to do the running and defensive work. Part of the problem has been relying on these two TOO much to play box to box while getting doubled and tripled teamed.
I like cultivating a work horse CDM to take away some of their defensive responsibilities. This would also protect the CB’s of which should be more athletic.
Subasic will anchor the spine and will be in his prime as a keeper.
We need attack wingers/wing backs to provide width.
Also curious to see a speedy/explosive #9 who can create even more space for Modric and Rakitic.
I love the heart of MANdzukic and he will still be a viable option but he does slow things up front at times.
Given the depth in talent I like a 4-3-3 or a 4-1-2-3 going forward.
Also Modric does not need to play full 90 minutes with many young studs who can spell him. Kovačić is a stud and already has shown his class (see iceland match-with 10 men).
Love to see who can become the CDM.
Brozovic
Badelj
Radosevic
Lovren
Jedvaj
Vida
I call BS on the thought that some of our CB’s can’t play CDM.
I see many players oscillate between the two.
Loren is CDM that is why he keeps on screwing up CB. Same for David Luiz.
I saw our group posted on FB.. im not sure if it was by croatiansports or somewhere else.. anyway they just posted the group, and someone commented ” there goes croatia’s chances of qualifying ” or something of that ilk.
Can you believe that? What an absolute cunting cunt.
As fucking if.
@DonJon
Perisic is a star and he’s 26. Since that game against Brazil at WC2014, he’s BY FAR been our best player and (along with Rakitic) will be the two key midfielders to create chances and score when the Russia qualifiers start.
Luka will be Luka, even in his early 30s. Maybe not as good as prime Luka, but still a key cog in the Croatian midfield wheel.
We really don’t need Kovacic to take it to the next level in order for us to qualify for Russia 2018. But I’m sure he’ll be a solid player by then at least. We’re too hard on the kid who has only recently turned 21. He’ll be 22-23 during those qualifications. Still young, but at that point, should be impacting the game more for us than he currently is.
@ Croatia vs. Antwerp Luka Modric Lukita as his teammates call him will be 30+ then we can’t be relying on him to take us through to the the World Cup in Russia in 2018. I still haven’t seen Mateo Kovacic take it to the next level for Croatia. Maybe Marcelo Brozovic will hopefully Alen Halilovic.
Poglavnik, Antwerp, North…
Soccer in Canada is a dead discussion guys, sorry! Our Grass Roots system is terrible, we have parents that have never played the game coaching kids, we have adults that have never ever been involved in soccer in their life making decisions at the lowest to highest levels across the board…where are any of those that had even an ounce of success and experience? Why aren’t some of the previous guys that played in Europe involved in building the system? The U.S. used to be worse than us, we are not even in their rear view mirror!
Give it up, it’s absolutely no use to talk about it! I couldn’t name 3 of Canada’s players and to be honest, I could care less!
The culture here is garbage and if we took just one page out of how they run hockey, it would be a different story!
Garbage…absolute garbage!
I just took a quick peak at the the Iceland, Turkey, and Ukraine squads…and lemme tell ya. The difference in quality between US and them is too great. Sure we’ll drop a coupla points, these things happen, but we’ll still win the group. We got Modric, Subasic, Rakitic and Perisic and that’s just the tip of the iceberg!
There’s no real easybeats in our group, the others are all kinda even and we will drop some points here and there. But all in all, over a full qualifying campaign, you would think we would come out on top. There’s no France or Italy.. so yeah im optimistic we can win that group
You’re
Right Ziva, we should be the clear favorite but considering our last cycle in the last WC, I’m reserving my opinion about us, not our opponents!
I was hoping for a more attractive group, but tough to complain about being a clear favorite.
@ poglavnik
Yeah Hargreaves is another case, ya guys can’t let another slip through your fingers like that! It’s bad for Canadian soccer and it only encourages future talented players to jump ship.
@ soul champ
We seriously need to re-program those cynical hrvati, looks like there’s some major errors in their source code.
@Cro v Ant
Yup.
Sucked losing Hargreaves too.
Radzinski and De Rosario were probably our best from the last 20 years
Pretty sad for an athletic country of 30 million.
@ Canadian Croatians
You guys are my favorite North American Hrvati.
I could less about Canadian anything but if it is important to you I actually find it interesting.
Even when we disagree you guys never get North East nasty.
@ Svima
Seeing Rakitic play today for Barca was as always an inspiration. He has an equally unique game like Modric. Halilovic is still green but is quick with the ball. He needs an ounce more explosion to gain a bit more separation from bigger/seasoned defenders. Also needs to work on passing with purpose.
To see them both on the same side for Barca was awesome.
@ Cynical Croatians
Please prepare yourself for unprecedented success from the Vatreni for the next 6 years. Bigoted beliefs may need to be integrated within your psyche. I suggest you seek local counsel to support you in your process.
Uvijek Vjerni
Bog i Hrvati
Kinda sucks that Guzman chose to play for the Dutch. Canada coulda had a good player.
@Slavonac
I don’t blame you.
Sounds like you know what you’re talking about.
Apparently this last Women’s World Cup here is going to inject an extra 15 million a year (from 25 million to 40) into the CSA.
Hopefully that might help our development.
Also, I haven’t been that impressed with Floro, but he did coach Madrid for 2 years and just about every other Spanish team.
Is there any hope for this guy with what we have to work with or not so much under this hierarchy?
@Maminjo
i promise this discussion will end soon…
Slavonac, your spot on. It’s sad to see the state of affairs in Canadian soccer. The program itself from top to bottom needs a good house cleaning. Too much sranje involved.
Competition started in Belgium today :
Lokeren lost to Zulte Wagerem (3-1). Dario Meljnak played 59′ as LB. Newcomer Ticinovic (former Hajduk player) came in after 59 minutes.
Milic (last year Hajduk Split) played very solid as CD for Oostende. They beat Kv Mechelen with 3-1. Oostende has bought a lot of players and they’re very ambitious this season.
Ivan Santini lost with his new team (Standard) against his former team (Kv Kortrijk) with 2-1. Ivan had a tough game and didn’t score.
Still no trace of Fran Brodic for Club Bruges. Club Bruges lost their game against Sint-Truiden with 2-1.
Poglavnik,
Honestly bro, I cannot watch Canada play for many reasons but most of all, they are shit…period!
A side note…when I played for Vancouver Croatia we played against Columbus…and Italian team here. One of their notorious and absolute shitty subs was Mike Findlay…the big mouthed yapper was the biggest shithead in the game and he was terrible….NOW, the shittiest sub to ever play amateur soccer is the assistant coach of team Canada and was previously BC soccer president while tons of my friends that were pro’s cannot get a job with the National program!
I love Canada but hate the soccer program, it’s worse than Malta’s, Cyprus, Lichenstein….it literally makes me sick!
@Maminjo – Thanks for the tip, I will because you said so.
@Maminjo
I agree.
There’s never much to be said about Canadian soccer.
Was just excited to be playing Belize and hopefully extend our qualifying for another round.
What neck of the woods are you from?
Ok so Vatreni are headed to the roof of the world and 2 global hotspots. It’s nothing they can’t handle. Yep, it’s all in a day’s work.
Maninjo, read my comment again…I 100% agree but was making a point of why Poglavnik was discussing Canada!
You too, Peter North
@Poglavnik and Slavonac
Honestly guys, you need to stop talking about Canadian soccer players. Nobody (including Canadians) know the fuck who they are and, more importantly, nobody cares.
That’s a tricky group for us.
We have a history with Turkey Iceland and Ukraine.
Damn watered down Euro’s made me almost forget that being at the next WC is definitely not a forgone conclusion.
Floro is a tool but when you have limited funds to spend on coaches that’s what you end up with. Canada got a two for one deal with him and his son.
@Slavonac from CANADA!
Come on man, you’re from CANADA!
And we looked best when Teibert was on the field if you didn’t notice.
Floro got a lot of flack for not playing him more.
@ Maminjo
As always you offer solid analysis.
As I am an admitted optimist … I see us at a whole new level come September 2016.
All the sides are good but once the cycle begins we could be an offensive juggernaut. Full of world class players with a squad full of top young talent.
Iceland is indeed on the rise but we match up well with their speed game. They will chasing the ball all match.
Turkey is tough but lack scoring.
Ukraine is mediocre at best.
Do not much of Finland but similar running style that we counter well with our ball movement.
You said it best that they will all take points from each other.
Also they are not deep squads. A couple of key injuries here or there will really effect them.
We are are finally deep and can withstand many top players being out and still put out an attacking crew.
Be nice to finally have a dominant qualifying cycle where we clinch first out right and have the rest of the group fighting for second place.
We need to take the next step from a good side to becoming an elite one. France will provide the opportunity to establish of dominance in Europe.
@ Real Madrid
How much better is Modric than Kroos?
Decent group.
Good news is that all these teams play offensively, so we won’t be watching any anti-soccer played by teams like Greece, Israel, Estonia, etc.
Cro may lose points in Istanbul, Reykjavik and Kiev, but these teams will most definitely lose points to each other. Much like our last WC qualifying group that had a lot of teams near the same level, the “most consistent” team is the one that tops this group.
Turkey is wildly inconsistent, and I expect them to be eliminated from this group. Ukraine and Iceland are alot better, but not as good as us. Barring any major injuries, I expect us to top this group.
Interesting that Croatia draws the last two teams they eliminated in the playoffs of the qualifying rounds (Turkey,Iceland)
Iceland will be a tough game, Turkey and Ukraine will not be easy beats as well as Finland will be competitive.
Definitely not an easy group for Croatia! Playing in Turkey and Ukraine will be very tough and if things continue as they are going….we may never see a full stadium in Croatia either!
We might have 6 points for sure….but every other game is going to be close.
I see many sides who need to get the smack down for past struggles.
After a strong Euro we will be loaded with talent and primed for big things.
ZDS
Oops meant Turkey, not Cyprus.
Poglavnik…come on dude, Canada is so damn shitty I’m confused how you even follow us?
Also, it’s confirmed dude, Teibert is terrible!(
Not an ideal draw. Iceland is on the rise and Ukraine poses some threats. It’ll be nice to see them beat the Turks once again. Happy they avoided France and Italy at least.
Like I said we got a 5 team group with sone tricky sides in Iceland, Ukraine, Finland and Cyprus.
Canada can’t fucking score. I don’t care they didn’t concede, they play negative soccer. I was at the Costa Rixa game and tactically they were much too defensive and lacking creativity.
You need to score goals if you want to go places and our guys can’t do that.
Group I WC Qualifying 2018
Croatia
Iceland
Turkey
Ukraine
Finland
The media were brutal on Canada for not scoring a goal during the Gold Cup but the only goal we allowed was against Jamaica in like the 92nd minute, and then we out played Costa Rica who were PK’s away from the semi’s at last years WC.
I’ve definitely seen us play worse!
Damn Mexico and CONCACAF!
I just hope to see Canada make one more World Cup in my lifetime.
i think Croatia is going to land in one of the 5 team Qualifying groups.
Canada plays Mexico, Honduras and most likely El Salvador should they get by Belize. They have a slight chance but they got to put the ball in the net.
I would loved to see them beat Mexico but it’s unlikely in one of the two head to head games.
Weeeeeeeee, Canada!
Belize is going down!
Ha!
Wasn’t really sure who you were talkin too…
And yes that IS a cool story!
I was actually referring to my own story about the Hajduk-Mallorca game from 15 years ago 😀
Your welcome Bruh!
Nothing like the atmosphere na Poljudu when Hajduk is playing OK, and some international squads come to town. First one I saw was about 15 years ago: Mallorca @ Hajduk. I was an innocent youngster, and the good guys won 1-0 on a Mate Bilic strike. A young Stipe Pletikosa was a brick wall back in goal. And an old Igor Stimac showed what a tough guy he was by assaulting Samuel Etoo. Remember it like it was yesterday…
^cool story, bro…
http://www.espnfc.us/club/liverpool/364/blog/post/2535818/dejan-lovren-lacking-protection-at-liverpool
@ Ziva
We have the best midfield in Europe.
Perišić is now a legit winger.
Halilovic is on his way.
Rebić provides verticality to stretch the D. A nice “joker” to come on for the beast Mandzukic.
But your right “Modric is a bust!”
Rebic stinks right now. Doesn’t deserve a call up. Pjaca has earned a chance at the spot, not Rebic. You can reward someone for playing like shit or not playing at all.
Modric looked healthy and sharp against Man City.
He is true genius in the middle.
Should have a Pirlo like career in his 30’s.
3 more major tournaments for the Vatreni in prime form.
Need to surround him with young legs and stop stressing him as a defender.
Also need to rest him this year so he is fresh for France.
@ Rebic haters
Play him up top for 20 minutes to stretch a tired defense that MANdzukic wore down. The kid is a horse and gives a vertical threat that we need to open up the bunker D.
Hope Rakitic gets some run today against Man U.
Cheers MelbCro
good thing we’re in pot 1..
really want to finish first this time.. so avoiding italy/france might be good.. others shouldnt pose any prob really.. would be funny if we got italy again after this one tho
Croatia, Austria, Hungary, Estonia, Moldova and Andorra. I hope for this.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_FIFA_World_Cup_qualification_(UEFA)
We seem to get macedonia pretty regularly actually
is the next world cup also 32 teams and how many from europe/what’s the path? is it imperative to come first?
@ Maminjo
That would be an awesome group entertainment wise! – although a nightmare for the authorities.
@Bobby
We match up pretty well with Italy and Sweden. Neither team can ever seem to beat us.
A very possible group could be…Croatia, BiH, Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia, and Andorra.
Andorra would probably qualify from that group on account of every other team being expelled.
Even the worst case scenario looks easy for us.
World Cup draw tomorrow (Saturday) – I think it’s at 11AM EST.
Best case scenario :
Croatia, Iceland, Albania, Faroe Islands, Moldova, Andorra
Worst case scenario:
Croatia, Italy, Sweden, Turkey, Finland, Kazakhstan
Will want to avoid Italy and France from the second pot. Otherwise, we should be ok.
Overall great job by Hajduk!
And that was a spectacular hit (aka “ferocious pile-driver”) by Jefferson. Now who’d a thought that one of America’s founding fathers was reincarnated as a Hajduk player. 🙂
Beautiful !!!
Hajduceeee!
The atmosphere was incredible.
what a bomb by Jefferson…
nice game by the Bili (or is it bili)
Farmers back in stari kraj often say that rain brings good fortune, and Kiš is certainly bringing Hajduk good fortune! Now do you guys think Hajduk has the quality to make it to the Europa league this year?
Luka training.
Don’t let the headline scare you…
http://www.marca.com/en/2015/07/22/en/football/real_madrid/1437570807.html