HNL REPORT (WEEK 1)

Results for July 20-22, 2012

 Written by Dr. O’Haravić

GNK DINAMO ZAGREB 1 – 1 NK INTER ZAPREŠIĆ

Photo: Dinamo

Inter Zaprešić shocked Dinamo Zagreb on Saturday’s HNL opener by earning a 1-1 draw at Maksimir.

1,200 fans sat in awe as the reigning Croatian champions dropped points in their first match of the season. In the 2011/12 season, Dinamo did not drop a single point until the seventh week against Hajduk Split where they drew 1-1. Furthermore, it took the modri just as many matches to even let in a single goal last year.

Dinamo has had recent trouble with facing Inter, beating them only once in their last four meetings.

The match started out as expected, with a minor exception in the lineup where Čačić decided to start Puljić in place of Vrsaljko at right back. Dinamo made it look easy, dominating in possession and going up early in the game when Sammir slotted a well-played goal in the 16th minute.

Despite all around possesion and several chances on goal, Dinamo could not beat the Inter defense or a stubborn Krševan Santini, who made seven saves to help his team stay alive.

Inter’s tying goal came from a blundering mistake when Mislav Oršić pressured Domagoj Vida and forced him to make an erroneous header back to keeper Ivan Kelava who could not control it. Oršić stole the ball and chipped it from outside the penalty area to tie the match in the 52 minute. “I guess I am guilty, and I am sorry. What can I say,” Vida said.

Will this harm Dinamo’s confidence heading into their match against Ludogorec on Wednesday?

“Everyone has a bad day, and today was ours. We created some opportunities, but we failed to score. However, we wait with optimism for Wednesday because I think that we are a better team that the Bulgarians.” – Ivan Kelava

NK ISTRA 1961 0 – 0 HNK HAJDUK SPLIT

Photo: Goran Šebelić/CROPIX 

Hajduk fans would rest easy knowing that their club was allowed to play Sunday due to the resolution of unpaid debts to Šibinek. Their suspension has been lifted for now and they were able to participate in Sunday’s match.

Hajduk Split looked to continue their winning ways against Istra 1961 after beating Skonto in the Europa League earlier this week, but was unable to move ahead of Dinamo today due to a scoreless draw in Pula.

In a nearly full Aldo Drosina, the two teams battled out an even match. Both clubs had their scoring chances, but they both left the match with a point.

The Istrians were frustrated that they didn’t come out with more.

“I am not satisfied with one point. No matter what we were well prepared, and I told you that you will not be surprised if you see a good Istra. Hajduk looked to be playing safe to me and they created a few chances. I’m sorry we did not win. In the second half we were very dangerous with all our team outperforming Hajduk,” Istra coach Igor Pamić said after the match.

The Istrians played a strong defense in the first half, and did a solid job shutting down Hajduk star Ante Vukušić.

The second half was full of Istra attacking. Hajduk was caught on their heels several times, but was bailed out by Goran Blažević, who played a very strong match. The Istrians were also without former Hajduk striker, Ahmed Sharbini, but are excited to announce that he will join them in training this week.

CIBALIA 0-3 SLAVEN BELUPO

After a dominating 6-0 performance in the Europa League against Northern Ireland’s Portadown, Slaven Belupo took their goal scoring power to Vinkovci. Two goals by Nikola Rak and one by Igo Bubnjić solidified a 3-0 over Cibalia.

The farmaceuti showed no mercy to the hosts and did not ease up or let Cibalia slow them down. Bubnjić scored an early goal to start off the match and continued to prey on the weak Cibalia back line.

For what chances that were available for Cibalia, Silvio Rodić was there to get in the way and proved to be a difficult keeper to beat.

After a great performance in last year’s season, expect to see a threatening Slaven Belupo for the rest of the year.

RNK SPLIT 2-0 HNK RIJEKA

Photo: Rijeka 

The new and improved HNK Rijeka did not live up to the hype that has been surrounding them lately as they fell to RNK Split at Park Mladeži Stadium in Split 2-0.

Rijeka has been expected to up the competitiveness of the HNL with it’s new Italian millionaire owner Gabriele Volpi who brought in a slew of new players and money to strengthen the quality of the team. Of course as to be expected, it will take time for a new team like this to gel, but the Miami Heat did it in a year. Can we expect a championship team by next season?

The younger brothers of Split do not think so. The past few seasons, RNK Split has been trying to catch up to their older brothers across town and have been gaining more speed every year.

Aljoša Vojonović opened the scoring for Split in the 13th minute, followed by defender Tomislav Radotić who scored the insurance goal for the crveni.

Rijeka came out strong in the second half, but did not have the power to equalize nor reduce their deficit. Their scoring chances were denied once by the crossbar and several times but Split keeper Danijel Zagorac.

“The hosts deservedly won. The whole game, we were incomplete and Split likes to play an aggressive game. Tonight, we did not respond to their aggressive game. We had our opportunities, two good ones, but we did not score. We lost tonight to a better opponent and I and the players have to understand why we lost. These are lessons by defeat.” – Elvis Scoria, HNK Rijeka head coach.

“We started a little nervous, however, it is about opening the season in front out our fans. We proved we have the quality. I believe our fans were happy because they saw an interesting and attractive meeting. I congratulate my players, we have shown that we are top quality.” Tonći Bašić, RNK Split head coach

NK ZAGREB 0-2 NK LOKOMOTIVA

 Photo: Lokomotiva 

NK Lokomotiva shut down NK Zagreb at Kranjećevićeva with a score of 2-0 in Zagreb. A first half goal by Karlo Bručić and a second half goal by Ivan Boras was all the Lokosi needed to get the win in the first game of their season in from of a crowd of 2,000. Lokomotiva but on an exciting display against their neighboring club and impressed their coaching staff with a well earned shutout.

NK ZADAR 0-0 NK OSIJEK

The two clubs played to a scoreless draw in Zadar. Osijek may have had an advantage, being the only one of the two clubs that has played a competitive match so far this year, but that was not the case. Both teams played an evenly matched game and neither could break the other’s defense.

NK Zadar was also remembering former payer Hrvoje Ćustić who died of a head injury in the opening match in the 2008 season. Before the match, there was a moment of silence and players and fans were to keep him in their thoughts.