Marko Pjaca made a triumphant return to football on Saturday after suffering a shoulder injury in the winter and scored the game winning goal that put Dinamo one step closer to its 11th consecutive championship.
The goal was an impressive display of ability. Pjaca came up with the ball during a tough scuffle at the top of the box where defenders of RNK Split were desperately attempting to clear their lines. Pjaca bought the ball in to the box and squared off with a bending shot that curved around goalkeeper, Tomislav Duka and off the far post for the game’s only goal.
Split showed little desire to open the game up any further than it already was, and continue to defend, not letting Dinamo extend their lead.
It was not the way Split wanted to celebrate their 104th birthday, which came only days before the match.
On two occasions, Split got an offensive opportunity, but nothing was done to change the score, giving Dinamo a vital three points.
Split – Dinamo 0-1, sažetak, 23.04.2016. by dm_525b2245553f8
HNK Rijeka did everything in their power to keep up with Dinamo when facing Hajduk Split at Poljud on Sunday.
Rijeka was successful in taking all three points with a score of 2-1, thanks to the efforts of Mario Gavranovic and Marko Veskovic.
Hajduk took the lead in the first half thanks to a goal from Tino -Sven Susic in the 25th minute. Hajduk also kept control of the first half, not giving up the lead until the 56th minute when Veskovic tied the match with a goal of his own.
But the hero of the day turned out to be Gavranovic, who kept Rijeka only four points behind Dinamo in the title hunt.
Hajduk – Rijeka 1-2, sažetak, 24.04.2016. by dm_525b2245553f8
The final score of 2-0 put NK Lokomotiva another step closer to competing in Europe next season – barring the outcome of the Croatian Cup.
Ante Aralica scored the eventual game winner in the 72nd minute, giving the Lokosi a 1-0 lead. The 19-year-old Zagreb native scored his first goal during his first professional game.
The second half proved to be a tough time for the boys from Osijek. Matja Spicic was sent off for his second bookable offense at the start of the second half, leaving his team down a man, which was eventually taken advantage of by the Lokosi.
Once the Lokosi were in the lead, Osijek was given a prime opportunity to ti the match with a penalty shot, but Osijek’s Benedik Mioc’s penalty attempt was poorly taken and went wide of the net.
To add insult to injury, Osijek’s Zoran Arsenic put the ball into his own net in the 86th minute to give Lokomotiva the ultimate 2-0 lead.
NK Zagreb and NK Istra 1961 both occupy the bottom two spots in the league and will have to fight of relegation if they have any hope of seeing the top flight of football next season.
Zagreb has been all but relegated but has kept hope alive on Saturday after beating Istra in Pula with a score of 4-1.
Zagreb showed an unprecedented amount of offense from their team on Saturday, scoring the most goals they have scored this season in a single match. Goals from Lovro Medic, Valentino Stepcic, and Matias Sultc all came in the first half, giving them a 3-0 lead.
The floundering NK Istra is getting closer and closer to an inevitable demise, scoring only one goal in the previous seven matches.
The abysmal goalless streak was finally broken after 585 goalless minutes by Sime Grzan in the 47th minute.
His goal did not help much though as Stepcic helped the Poets regain their three-goal lead in the 76th minute.
Istra 1961 – Zagreb 1-4, sažetak, 23.04.2016. by dm_525b2245553f8
Just out of curiosity, what do you guys think about artificial turf? Rumor has it that Inter Zapresic will be playing on an artificial field come the summer time.
Ziva…you said: ” I’ve said this before, never pay attention to what someone tells the media because it usually is done to spin something. ”
does this mean you can’t use these players comments against Mamic anymore? or are you saying their comments only matter if they are against Mamic?
LOL, Muric had threats???? My oh my the stupidity that some will say on this site never ceases to amaze me
coric and muric not only need to improve attitude but about time to man up, be a fuckin man
Coric is probably a kid who is hearing all sorts of things from parents, agents, friends, other players. I’m sure he wants out of Dinamo and the HNL. What players grows up dreaming about playing in the HNL???. Dinamo is not a destination club, it is a stepping stone club. I’ve said this before, never pay attention to what someone tells the media because it usually is done to spin something. Muric months ago saying he was committed to Dinamo is what he needed to say so fans do t get in his back.
Don’t compare him to Muric. These are different examples. Muric had to deal with threats to his health and his family’s health by Mamic. He had no choice but to leave.
Coric doesn’t need to improve his attitude as long as some of the top clubs are knocking on his door. He needs to do more of the same if he wants to leave and go to a big club in a real league and outside of a Mickey Mouse country.
Coric like Muric, both idiots and can’t decide what they want. The games caught up to Muric and now he sits on a bench somewhere. Coric needs to man up and improve his attitude.
so here’s a question to you Ziva, or to anyone else that cares to answer this.
what kid of a guy is Coric? remember back when he was leaving Dinamo? then, he was ok with Dinamo? now he’s saying he won’t leave Dinamo….
now he’s been talking to Bayern, Man City and Real…but he’d rather stay at Dinamo? is this kid on meds?
*UPDATE* Slaven Belupo won 4-1 over Inter Zapresic. Goals by Pokrivac 13′, Ejupi 39′, Savic 58′, Delic 84′ – Nestorovski 22′ (Also his league-leading 19th goal of the season).
Zadar drew 3-3 against Gorica but are still 11 points from safety.
Sibenik won 2-1 and remain on top of the 2.HNL table, but have yet to secure a first-league license.
Cibalia won 3-0 over Dinamo II, remain in second place; yet to secure a first-league license.
bravo marko, beautiful goal