A busy week in the HNL has lead to little changes in the standings, but nonetheless provided spectators with several entertaining matches.
Dinamo Zagreb faced NK Zadar at Stadium Stanovi last weekend and had to fight hard for a 1-0 victory away from home.
Zadar is desperate in their efforts to stay in the Prva Liga, but Dinamo’s Marko Pjaca dashed their hopes of obtaining points from the mighty Modri in the 85th minute.
Dinamo also contested NK Osijek at Maksimir on Wednesday and cruised to a routine 3-0 victory thanks to goals from Domagoj Pavačić, Angelo Henqiquez, and the young and talented Ante Čorić.
Dinamo remain 12 points clear in the standings and are the only remaining team yet to experience defeat this season. They look to continue that streak when they face RNK Split tomorrow afternoon in Split.
The two teams will also face each other in the Croatian Cup finals which was just announced yesterday will take place on May 20 at Maksimir Stadium.
Hajduk Split have finally found themselves back on track after for the first time ever in the Croatian First League, losing four consecutive matches.
After the departure of Goran Vučević after coaching Hajduk for only two matches – including their semi-final Cup loss to RNK Split- Hari Vukaš has returned for a second opportunity this season and has lead the Bili to victory.
Dejan Mezga and Fran Tudor both scored in the match in Koprivnica to win 2-0 over Slaven Belupo.
Hajduk also won in Wednesday’s match at Poljud against Lokomotiva 2-1. Mezga scored both goals for the Bili in the match while Franko Andrijašević scored for the Lokosi.
Rijkea defended the northeastern part of the country with a 3-0 victory over rivals NK Istra 1961 this past weekend. Two goals from Marin Tomasov and one from Alex helped Rijeka with the contest and leave with all three points.
But it took Rijeka nearly 75 minutes to score a goal this past Wednesday at Kantrida against RNK Split, who are certainly gearing themselves up for a good match in the Cup finals.
Tomasov scored the first goal of the match in the 75th minute. Josip Ivančić followed to make it 2-0 in the 92nd minute of the game.
The battle of Kranjčevićeva took place over this past weekend featuring the two inhabitants of the stadium: NK Zagreb – the local tenants and rightful owner of the stadium – and NK Lokomotiva – the rival without a home.
Zagreb took the match 2-1, but not before Marko Kolar put the Lokosi ahead in the 41st minute.
The second half was all Zagreb though, as Josip Jurendić and Valentino Stepčić both scored to secure three points.
NK Zagreb traveled to Zadar on Wednesday and shined with a 3-0 victory.
All three goals from Zagreb came from Gabrijel Boban. Boban, a distant cousin of Zvonimir Boban, and brother of teammate Bruno Boban, displayed his skill, scoring two goals in four minutes, and the third goal capping off the match in the 51st minute.
Zadar remains in last place, but are tied on points with NK Osijek.
RNK Spit teased NK Osijek last weekend when they welcomed them to Split and let Osijek take a 2-0 lead by the 14th minute.
Sasha Aneff scored first in the 12th minute and his teammate Marin Glava followed with a goal only two minutes later.
But Split was determined not to lose at their home stadium and scored three goals in the second half to take the match 3-2.
Draen Bagarić, Slavko Blagojević, and Sokol Cikalleshi all contributed goals to Split’s victory.
Yesterday’s only game featured a thrilling matchup between NK Istra 1961 and NK Slaven Belupo at Aldo Drosina.
Both teams were in a great need of victory, but they settled the contest with a 2-2 draw.
Slaven’s Muzafer Ejupi opened the scoring in the 11th minute, but his goal was negated by Dejan Radonjić‘s 37th minute goal.
Ejupi was at it again and once again put his team in the lead after scoring a goal in the 39th minute, but anything he could do, Randonjić could do better.
Dejan Radonjić scored the most impressive goal of the game in the 87th minute to salvage a draw after deflecting in a shot from a tough angle into the goal.
The goal was Radonjić’s 16th goal of the season.
———–This weekend’s (match week 32) schedule——————–
Coric with another goal against Rnk Split. How come this guy doesn’t get hyped as Halilovic while he’s maybe even better?
Great job as always!
My favourite report on this site.
Going to visit my parents on the island Osljak, near Zadar again this summer.
Always go to a game – doesn’t look like Hajduk or Dinamo Zagreb coming in next season. Might have to settle for Zadar – Mala Guzica.
Eh, jebi ga. Maybe they improved the Wi-Fi at Stanovi….and there’s always StanleyBet right at the front entrance.