Results for Nov. 8-10, 2013
GNK DINAMO ZAGREB 1 – 0 NK SLAVEN BELUPO
Dinamo remain in first place on the Prva HNL table after squeaking out a close one against Mladen Frančić’s Slaven Belupo.
The Modri seemingly toyed with the visiting team, possessing the ball for nearly the entire opening 15 minutes of the game.
But scoring chances were few and far between for both clubs. Neither team had a shot on target until nearly the 30th minute when Alen Halilović sent an unconvincing ball on net that was easily caught by Tomislav Pelin.
Both sides traded weak attempts off target, but nothing close to a quality scoring chance.
The half ended with a scoreless affair, but Dinamo would finally get on the board with a little help from Halilović, who started for the team, and was subbed off midway through the second half.
Halilović dribbled the ball by himself to the edge of the penalty box and sent in a cross that was deflected by the hand of defender, Petar Brlek in the penalty area. Dinamo was awarded a penalty that Duje Čop hit hard into the back of the net for the eventual game wining goal.
The unconvincing win kept Dinamo on top of the league table, but Slaven should be pleased with their performance. They were able to hold Dinamo to a single goal that was scored on a penalty in their own stadium.
A regular starter for Dinamo was left off the roster on Sunday and may stay off the roster permanently.
It is reported that Sammir has been released from the team by coach Zoran Mamić. Mamić claims it was his attitude and lack of discipline that made his decision easy, and not the fact that Sammir’s contract is up in the summer of 2014.
“Sammir’s [release from the club] is due to his lack of discipline away from the team, and we all know what that means: non-compliance and inappropriate behavior,” Coach Zoran Mamić said. “Why now? I have now assumed the role of coach. Every day I am with him, and these few weeks we have provided him support, attention and respect, and we received little in return. After yesterday’s training, it was perfectly clear that he will not enter into our dressing room.”
Sammir is now a free agent and will be on the hunt for a new club. Several Italian and Brazilian clubs have expressed interest, but none have approached Dinamo or Sammir.
More change may come to Maksimir in the upcoming months. Felix Magath may soon be taking over as coach for Dinamo after the winter break. The former Bayern Munich manager has coached numerous teams in the Bundasliga to several Bundasliga titles.
HNK HAJDUK SPLIT 2 – 0 NK ISTRA 1961
Hajduk Split was finally able to lift the curse that they have been plagued by since 2011.
Istra has been a thorn in Hajduk’s side for long enough, and for the first time since August of 2011, they defeated the Istrian club.
Igor Pamić’s team has won twice at Poljud in their unbeaten run against Hajduk, and has gone 5-3-0 in their last eight meetings with the Bili.
But this time, Hajduk was the dominant side. They knew Istra had history on their side, but they let history be history and shut out the sixth-placed club and took three points that leave them now two points out of first place.
Mario Pašalić helped break the bad luck Hajduk has been having against their opponents by scoring the opening goal in the 13th minute.
The Istrians tried to answer back with some offensive pressure of their own, but Hajduk’s Lovre Kalinić kept his team in the lead, even when Petar Franjić had a quality scoring opportunity. Kalinić remained calm and collected, and stood in the way of Franjić’s attempt to tie the match.
Hajduk continued to look dangerous as the first half started to wind down. Jean Evrard Kouassi put his team up by two only a few minutes before heading into the locker room for the half.
Kouassi gave the 15,000 fans at Poljud a reason to cheer when he received the ball in the penalty area and easily slotted it past Antonijo Ježina for Hajduk’s second goal.
Hajduk did not have the same spark in the second half, but managed to fight off the desperate attempts from Istra.
Kalinić continued to contribute to his team by making key saves, and as Istra became frustrated, their play deteriorated.
Hajduk was awarded the three points, and remain in second place.
HNK RIJEKA – NK HRVATSKI DRAGOVOLJAC
SUSPENDED
Rijeka and the Volunteers played one of the more interesting first halves of football in the season so far.
On a pitch that was not fit for even a pickup match in a school yard, the two teams battled it out in what was a swamp inside Stadium Kantrida.
The waterlogged field stopped the ball in its tracks with puddles that swallowed the ankles of players who had the troubling task of trying to chase it.
Payers had to wipe water from their eyes with each kick due to the water splashing in their own faces.
But in the few moments where they could actually compose themselves and play the game without risk of drowning, Rijeka was able to score a goal in the first half off the head of Dario Knežević.
Knežević headed in a ball sent in from a brilliant free kick from Mehemed Alispahić. With the condition of the field, it seemed that the only real scoring opportunities would come from set pieces.
The Volunteers had a scoring chance themselves when Stipe Balčelić-Grgić headed one on target, but Ivan Vargić was there to make the save.
The two clubs went into the locker room at halftime, in hopes of staying dry. Their hopes quickly became reality when a power outage struck the stadium. The match was abandoned at halftime, and will resume at a later date to be determined.
The score at half was 1-0 in favor of Rijeka.
NK ZADAR 0 – 2 NK LOKOMOTIVA
Zadar played host to Lokomotiva on Friday to open up the 16th match week of 2013.
The Lokosi, as they have all season, played sharp and quick, and used their very offensive line up to their advantage and struck first in the game.
Leonard Mešarić scored with his head with the first attempt on goal in the game. This made Zadar open up early and had to fight for an equalizer.
They came close several times with attempts on goal from the likes of Luka Begonja, who seemed determined to carry his team on his shoulders.
Unfortunately for him and his team, he was unable to find the back of the net.
Zadar made things even harder for themselves when their captain, Jure Jerbić, was sent off after receiving his second yellow of the game in the 81st minute.
The Lokosi used this to their advantage and scored their second goal of the game less than 10 minutes later.
Domagoj Pavašić came off the bench late in the game to score the injury time insurance goal. It was the 19-year-old’s first HNL goal.
Lokomotiva would take home the three points and tied on points for third place.
NK OSIJEK 0 – 0 RNK SPLIT
Split traveled to the Garden City to face Osijek on Saturday.
The two clubs played to a dull 0-0 draw, and both ended up splitting the points.
Osijek is savoring every point they can salvage. Osijek is only two points clear of the bottom of the table, but have a game in hand over Hrvatski Dragovoljac. Every point is precious to the Osijek club.
It appears that fans have not given up on their team either. Over 1,500 attended the match against Split and a solid turnout of the Kohorts, Osijek’s supporters group, showed that the fans are still behind their struggling club.
Osijek is only one of four remaining founding members of Croatia’s Prva Liga that have yet to be relegated. Dinamo, Hajduk, and Rijeka are the only other clubs that can say the same thing.
Osijek will continue to fight to keep their head above water, and will surly make the rest of the season interesting.
Just another Great win by the Most Loved team in Croatia , & throughout the World Our Bili – Hajduk !! Finally the Mamic/Refs did not Crap on Us like the last game ! Who , U tell me Who Who calls the game over on a Foul with a free kick just outside the box for maybe a go ahead score ? U tell me U f-en Arrogant Mamic/dinamo fans ! Be Proud be Proud my (g)nk fans ! Sramota !! Tudor 4 Coach of the Year ! What a Great Young Team that Should Win 1st Place if U Know Who Does Not Mess with it !! Torcida i Hajduk 4 Life !! Peace & Cheers to All !! Bog , Hrvati , USA , Hajduk , i HNS !!!
yes, needs to be replaced, but needs to keep some of its history…being able to see the pitch from street level is an experience…also the rock behind the north stands. Maybe simply keep a sliver of rock as a reminder of the past…
@Armada87
righ on brother, Built in the 20’s whereas Poljud built in 1979 and has to be shut down everytime it rains. Sramota. LOL
@ Hajdukovac
the only thing Kanrida has going for itself is a beautfiul location and beautiful views of the jadransko more. Otherwise, the stadium is old, built in the 20’s and needs to be replaced.
Bravo Dinamo. First place again.
Hello.
Do you know the new date and time for the Rijeka game ?
If it is alredy define of coursa.
Thank you very much.
Rui Gomes
How about that great Rijeka stadium now? Hahahaha
HAJDUK ZIVI VJECNO!
Vanilla ice was in zagreb . He is so cool just like Dinamo is 🙂
Ice loves coco
All the aussies – i think kick off is 7am sat morning eastern time if someone wants to double check. Where are people watching the game??? Dont say setanta b/c theyre cunts!
McGrath @Dinamo. I will believe it when I see it.
I guess Mamic is frustrated that he can’t dump Sammir to another club for a profit.
@Misko:
u r on a roll
Am really happy for Rijeka………………….
Suspended? I thought Croatians were awesome at water-polo?