Results for April 26-28, 2013
GNK DINAMO ZAGREB 1 – 0 NK SLAVEN BELUPO
It has been 768 minutes since the current Croatian champions have given up a goal to an opponent. Goalkeeper Ivan Kelava has stood tall behind a solid defense and is now the holder of a new Prva Liga record for longest shutout streak.
During Dinamo’s 1-0 victory at home against Slaven Belupo, Kelava needed only 11 more goal-less minutes to achieve the record. In a game that saw few goal-scoring opportunities from Slaven, Kelava celebrated his club’s 102nd birthday with another clean sheet.
The Modri played the match much like any other. Possession was dominated by the home team, and their heavy focus on offense gave them plenty of scoring chances. Unfortunately for them, they were unable to capitalize on any of them.
The score was deadlocked at zero late in the game when Slaven’s Igor Bubnjić mistakenly deflected the ball into his own goal to give Dinamo the win.
Three points were crucial to Slaven, who have been on a 15-game winless streak that began on December 8 against Rijeka. With only a few games left, Slaven is flirting with danger and are nearing the relegation zone.
Despite a close game, conflicts with fans at the match overshadowed much of the play on the field.
Hundred of Bad Blue Boys were met by police at the stadium’s entrance and were denied access to the game. Many of the members of the group were there to voice their displeasure over several topics, but most were there to show support for Marko Azapović, who was beaten be police and passed away last Sunday. The 17-year-old was a member of Torcida.
Dinamo – Kelava – Vrsaljko, Jedvaj, Šimunić, Pivarić – Brozović – Tomečak (od 46. Halilović), Sammir, Husejinović (od 70. Pamić), Rukavina – Beqiraj (od 78. Krstanović)
Slaven – Rodić – Kokalović, Grgić, Bubnjić – Batarelo (od 81. Herent), Čanađija (od 90. Jelavić), Geng, Brlek, Maras – Rak, Šaban (od 67. Jugović)
Attendance: 1,000
HNK HAJDUK SPLIT 1 – 2 HNK RIJEKA
The turmoil continues for Hajduk Split.
Two quick first-half goals for Rijeka were enough for the surging team from the north to take a massive three points from one of their most heated rivals.
The game a Poljud left the home team on the outside, looking in. They now sit tied for fourth place, one spot below the final European spot on the table.
The loss also marked the end for coach Mijo Krstičević. After the loss, it was announced that the club has relieved him of his duties, and will no longer be in charge of the. Igor Tudor will take over at the helm of Hajduk for the last remaining games in attempt to reach Europa League play by way of winning the cup, or advancing to at least third place on the table.
Goran Mujanović opened the scoring for Rijeka in the 21st minute, and Leon Benko scored the eventual game-winner in the 36th minute, but Benko’s 16th goal of the season came with a bit of controversy.
Danijel Cesarec won the ball in the midfield on what appeared to be a foul, but the referee allowed play to continue. Cesarec and Benko were on a two-on-two break for goal when Benko plowed into a Hajduk defender and left him flat on his back as he ran by and received the ball before putting in the net. Both instances could have easily led to a Hajduk free kick, but both went uncalled and the goal stood, making the score 2-0.
Tino-Sven Šušić brought his team within one, but that would be as close as they would get, and Rijeka was victorious, taking all three points, and moving into third place behind Lokomotiva.
HAJDUK: Blažević, Stojanović (46. Andrijašević), Milić, Milović (82. Kiš), Oremuš, Caktaš (46. Jozinović), Maloča-kapetan, Vuković, Lima, Sven Sušić, Kouassi
RIJEKA: Mance, Škarabot,Knežević-kapetan, Alispahić (69. Močinić), Mujanović, Kreilach, Benko (78. Čulina), Neretljak, Marić (67. Datković), Jugović, Brezovec
Attendance: 9,000
NK LOKOMOTIVA 1 – 0 RNK SPLIT
RNK Split and Lokomotiva have been battling for a European spot all season, and were forced to face one another on Saturday.
In a mini-Eternal Derby, Split traveled to Maksimir to face the second-place team in hopes of overtaking second place themselves.
In what was a very entertaining match, both teams pressed hard or the first goal, and showed that they both have a strong offense and are willing to do anything to get their first taste of European play.
The Lokosi took their one and only lead in the 44th minute on a fluke goal that was caused by clumsy defense.
Karlo Bručić crossed the ball in from outside the box, but Split midfielder, but Nino Galović got to the ball first and accidentally deflected the ball past Andrija Vuković and into his own goal.
The Lokosi would take the goal all the ay to the end of the game and took all three points. The Reds would fall to fourth place, and are only one point behind Rijeka for third place.
LOKOMOTIVA: Picak, Barbarić, Mesarić-kapetan, Antolić, Maleš, Bručić (64. Musa), Boras, Šitum, Pjaca (61. Peko), Kramarić, Trebotić (68. Chago)
SPLIT: Vuković-kapetan, Glavina, Glumac, Baraban, Erceg, Radotić, Pehar (63. Vojnović), Paracki, Galović (56. Radeljić), Bagarić (73. Kvesić), Belle
Attendance: 1,200
NK ISTRA 1961 2- 1 HNK CIBALIA
Cibalia continue their five-game losing streak after a loss to Pula on Saturday.
The boys from Vinkovci are on the brink of joining the Druga Liga, but still have some hope of staying in the top division of they can salvage a few wins before the end of the season.
Istra have been unbeaten in nine of their last 10 games, and rest comfortably in sixth place. They gained three more points on Saturday thanks to goals scored my Hrvoje Milić and Sandi Križman.
ISTRA 1961: Ježina, Milić, Budicin-kapetan, Anđelković, Obšivač, Križman, Chung, Prelčec (74. Zgrablić), Ottochian (77. Havojić), Aganović (87. Hadžić), Blagojević
CIBALIA: Matković,Mišić, Muženjak (79. Koledić), Pavličić (56. Bartolović), Župarić-kapetan, Mitrović, Ćorić (52. Puljić), Filipović, Rugašević, Čulić, Terzić
Attendance: 1,200
NK OSIJEK 1 – 0 NK ZAGREB
Zagreb continue to distance themselves from safety with another loss on Saturday.
Ćiro and his boys traveled to the Garden City in hopes of three points that will lead them out of the relegation zone, but were unable to achieve their aspirations of victory.
Ćiro has been making headlines as of late with promises of staying up in the first division. He is willing to do anything to stay up, and guarantees that his team will not be relegated.
Zagreb, along with Cibalia and Osijek, have scored the fewest (24) goals in the league. Osijek has also only given up 29 goals in the season, the third fewest amongst the teams. This proves how difficult it would be for Zagreb to get on the score sheet in this game, and shows why it was no surprise that they didn’t.
Osijek’s Marko Lesković scored the only goal of the game, and it was the only goal needed for them to win the match.
The Poets have a big task ahead of them to stay afloat in the league. With only a few games remaining, Zagreb will need to take every point they can get, and hope that their fellow relegation-bound teams will drop points themselves.
OSIJEK: Mikulić, Pavić, Kurtović-kapetan, Pušić, Blatnjak (71.Lukić), Perošević, Lešković, Ibriks, Mandić (54. Mišić), Kvržić (87. Krstanović), Leko
ZAGREB: Livaković, Kovačić, Šovšić, Nadarević (85. Dedić), Bevab, Abdurahimi, Kolinger, Štiglec (85. Djengoue),Handžić, Štrok (46. Ćurjurić), Graf
Attendance: 1,500
NK ZADAR 1 – 2 NK INTER ZAPREŠIĆ
Inter is doing everything they can to reach safety from relegation, and if that means they have to win three points on the road, then that is what they will do.
This most recent win marked Inter’s second win in their past 16 matches. They went winless in 12 straight games, but are trying to turn their luck around at the very end of the season. They are using their win at Zadar as a starting point, and are hoping for three more points next week against NK Zagreb.
Both teams in the match on Saturday finished with only 10 men on the field. Miroslav Oršić and Ante Budimir were not among those who were sent off, but did score a goal each to ensure a win for Inter.
ZADAR: Gluić, Bilaver, Con (33. Sarić), Ivančić (67. Surać), Begonja, Buljat (84. Terkeš), Jerbić-kapetan, Perica, Prahić, Mršić, Heister
INTER-ZAPREŠIĆ: Delač, Čeliković (60. Bosec), Bagarić, Kramarić (77. Rundić), Budimir, Mlinar, Herceg, Plazanić, Oršić-kapetan, Milardović (60. Šarić), Pokrivač
Attendance: 500
Rijeka have had a lot of embarassing moments in Europe though in the last 10 years or so…
Partizan destroyed us in 1999 (but with the tie in Kantrida, everyone sang their hearts out for the full 90, YouTube it, something to see for sure)
We lost to Renova, some garbage team from Makedonija in 2008.
And although we beat them at home 3-0, we lost to Differdange 1-0 in 09, a team from Luxembourg that actually fields some part-time/amatuer players. To date, it’s their only win ever in Europe.
Hence, why I’m a bit skeptical about a deep run for Rijeka, if we do make it. I think this team is different than teams in the past though. More depth and it’s not just youngsters and HNL journeymen. I’d be estatic if we could make it past our first tie.
Meant “they have put a lot of money in that team”
@Colin
Agree. I want to see Rijeka make it to Europa play. They have up a lot of money in that team so good to see them doing well. Next season will be interesting. Will they challenge Dinamo.
That’s the name of the game, Armada. @Hi – Totally expected Rijeka to play like this this year. Just imagine if they actually started out the season this way instead of going 1 and 6 in their first seven matches and have a five-game win less streak through the end of December to early March. They would be giving Dinamo a run for their money.
Speaking of which, since Dinamo has the leagued wrapped up, I hope they play their young guys against Rijeka next week… But I think I would like to see Rijeka win, just to stay above Hajduk and make it into Europe. Maybe get a few more goals for Benko while they’re at it.
@ ziva
You’re 1000% right. I’ll just be happy to cheer on Rijeka for a 3rd round EL tie and probably watch them lose to a team from Kazakhstan.
The little things in life, you know? Like watching your team get knocked out of the EL by a team in a 3rd world country.
@Armada
Big accomplishment. Rijeka has been impressive and beat Hajduk easily at Poljud. I would of never expected it to be like this.
3rd place, 4th place, or 9th place in the HNL is all the same.
new job with a tight fireball makes it tough to post on here more often…
but fellow jadan Hajduk diehards, how’s this looking so far with a round left?
3. Rijeka
4. Hajduk
😀
Bašić is our Srna replacement on the right side. Not sure if he’s as good of a deadball specialist, but he definitely has some serious firepower.
@Ivica…I think Basic is the captain of the U-17 side. A lot of nice things have been said and written about him.
Yeah, there is a lot talent on that squad. I like Brodic a lot. This tournament will be a prelude of things to come…
Back to HNL, congrats to Lokomotiva, Choo! Choo! Benko sure sunk Hajduk, I wonder if this guy is related to chess Grandmaster Pal Benko
We keep talking about Halilovic, but this kid Basic is just as good a prospect.
Not sure why Hajduk hasn’t given this guy a shot, while Dinamo has given Halilovic ample opportunities, despite having him go through some growing pains at their expense.
Robbed Again ! Bog , Hrvati , Hajduk , i HNS !!!
Does Halilovic play consistently well throughout his game or does he only have flashes of quality every now and then?
We are going to take this tournament by storm!
Here is an interview by Uefa.com of coach Ivan Gudelj. Who “believes he has at his disposal the best generation of talent his country has ever produced.”
http://www.uefa.com/under17/news/newsid=1944078.html
Under 17 staring 11 are
Maric-Mamic Culjak Prce/Car Stolnik- Basic Rogulic Sunjic Halilovic Brodic Dabro- in a 4-4-2
Just checking the schedule, and our U17 team is playing this Sunday against Italy.
Basic, Halilovic, Roguljic, Mamic, Dabro, and Brodic are all playing. We’ll get a chance to see if these future potential stars can take this tournament.
The U20 World Cup is in June as well. A lot of young Croat talent to watch. Hopefully both teams do well.
I must be losing it in my old age – love watching these Zadar highlights every week. C’mon boys, hang on to the ninth spot – I wanna see a first division soccer match this summer when I visit.
Seems like i care about them staying up more than the players do, ali, jebi ga.
Tudor new Hajduk Coach and he left national team so its only Stico Boka and tumba as coaches. Tudor and Jurcic left for Hajduk and the other to Dinamo.