HNL Week 18

Another addition of the Gradski Derbi is in the books after Dinamo finished off the match week with a 3-1 victory over NK Lokomotiva at Maksimir on Sunday.

Over 1,000 fans embraced the chilly 40-degree weather to catch an entertaining match between the two Zagreb locals.

Marko Rog has been playing with exceptional ability lately and started the match off with an impressive goal in the fifth minute. This was Rog’s first goal scored for Dinamo in 18 appearances. Rog has previously scored seven goals in 30 appearances for RNK Split.

Some quick footwork and a cannon of a shot while falling backwards was what Rog brought to the pitch with his goal. The 1-0 lead came early for the Modri, but Lokomotiva were able to keep them on their toes with a tying goal at the end of the half.

Eros Grezda, who scored twice last week for the Lokosi, struck again on Sunday. The youngster’s goal came in the 41st minute and gave the Lokosi a 1-1 draw heading into the break.

But it was Marko Rog who once again showed his ability with the football.

Rog scored his second goal of the game in the 72nd minute to give Dinamo the win.

Ante Čorić scored an insurance goal only six minutes later and showed some impressive skill of his own.

With the win, Dinamo remain in second place.

According to reports from hrsport.net, NK Lokomotiva fielded eight players that have formerly played for Dinamo. Six of those players are still under contract with Dinamo and are on loan to Lokomotiva, which is the maximum number of players one team can loan to another.

Several former Dinamo players on Lokomotiva had to break their contracts with the Modri so this rule could be followed.

Some more controversy has once again struck the Modri this season.

Dinamo was scheduled to face NK Inter Zaprešić in the quarterfinals of the Hrvatski Nogometni Kup on Wednesday, Dec. 2, but their request for a reschedule due to the proximity to the Bayern Munich Champions League match was granted and the match will take place on February 2, 2016. Several other clubs have criticized the decision and accused Dinamo of receiving special treatment.

All other quarterfinal matches will go on as scheduled.

Hajduk Split remains in third place after their 2-0 win over NK Zagreb on Saturday.

It was the young Fran Tudor who opened the scoring in the 17th minute, but a failed attempt for Zagreb only three minutes later left the Poets trailing by a goal.

Marco Bencun fed a pass to Tudor who had a wide opened net to score on.

At the other end of the field, Gabrijel Boban was given a penalty kick only minutes after the Hajduk goal. Boban was unable to capitalize on the opportunity and struck the post with his shot.

Several minutes later, Hajduk was awarded a penalty shot of their own, but they too were unable to make any use of it as Elvir Makolu struck the post with his shot.

It was certain poetic justice that neither team scored on their respective penalties. Both decisions by the referee boarded on the incorrect side. Boban had clearly embellished his fall in the box while Matias Šulc clearly blocked the ball with his rib cage, although he was penalized and carded for what the ref believed to be a handball.

Zagreb made matters worse for themselves after Šultc was issued his second yellow card in the 45th minute, leaving the poets down a man for the remainder of the match.

Hajduk took advantage of the man advantage and scored a second goal in the 89th minute to give the ultimate 2-0 lead.

Goran Milović was issued his second yellow card of the match in the 90th minute leaving both teams with only 10 men. But there was not enough time for Zagreb to do any damage at even strength and Hajduk took all three points from Kranjčevićeva.

Rijeka did what was minimally required by them to defeat NK Istra 1961 in Rujiveca on Saturday, but that didn’t stop it from being the most exciting match of the weekend.

Marin Tomasov struck in the 19th minute but it was Istra goalkeeper Ivica Ivušić that took the spotlight away from many of the Rijeka players.

Vanja Iveša, who made a name for himself this season with several stunning performances while in the twilight of his career, rested on the bench in favor of the young Ivušić.

The 20-year-old Rijeka native spent time with Italy’s Inter Milan, but spent most of the 2014-15 season with AC Prato in Italy’s third division.

Ivušić joined Istra this season and made his first start with the club on Saturday. Ivušić is a regular in Croatia’s national youth ranks, most recently joining the Croatia U20 squad.

Rijeka had a slew of scoring chances, but was only able to capitalize on one. One goal is all they needed as Istra barely threatened Rijeka with any scoring chances, leaving Ivan Vargić and very bored goalkeeper.

The three points gained with the win allowed Rijeka to remain in first place in the HNL.

It was all Split all day when RNK Split faced NK Slaven Belupo on Friday afternoon in Split.

Slaven did hold a small majority of the possession but were unable to do anything with it, registering zero shots on target.

But Split were able to get off eight shots on target and 19 that missed the net while being able to get two of those shots to find the back of the net.

Ivan Pešić scored the day’s first goal in the 15th minute. Slaven were unable to catch their breath and Split was buzzing with momentum.

Draen Bararić scored Split’s second goal in the 37th minute to give the team the 2-0 victory. Split remains in fourth place.

NK Inter Zaprešić and NK Osijek kicked off the match week with a scoreless draw on Friday.

Neither side found many scoring opportunities and were surely satisfied with mutual shutouts and a single point.