Results for Aug. 30 – Sept. 2, 2013
GNK DINAMO ZAGREB 3 – 1 NK ISTRA 1961
Dinamo may be out of the Champions League, but they haven’t shown any hesitation in league play, and this weekend is no exception.
Istra visited Maksimir on Saturday after coming off a huge victory against Hajduk Split last week. Igor Pamić s side entered the match with a lot of confidence and high hopes, but knew Dinamo would still be a tough challenge.
“I am convinced that we will be very motivated. We’ll want to show that we are a top quality team, strongest in years, and we are prepared for this match,” Pamić said before the match.
Isrta may have been motivated for the match, but it was Dinamo who was clearly the stronger side and won 3-1.
Fatos Beqiraj started the scoring in the 23rd minute. An easy goal put the Modri up 1-0. El Arbi Hillel Soudani added a second tally in the 45th minute after a brilliant through ball was sent up the middle of the field. Soudani showed an impressive individual effort and beat three defenders before placing a perfect shot that beat the keeper.
But it was Junior Fernandes that owned the spotlight in the match.
Fernandes scored in the 53rd minute with a stunning overhead kick from nearly 15 yards out.
After Istrian defenders were unable to clear a bouncing rebound in the box, Fernandes sent in a lofted overhead kick that went over the keeper’s head and into the net.
Tomislav Havojić was able to get one goal for Istra, but were still defeated by the reigning champs.
Over that last several matches, Dinamo have been led by sporting director, Zoran Mamić. As of Monday, a new, or not-so-new coach, was announced to replace Kruno Jurčić.
Branko Ivanković will be returning to Dinamo for the third time to coach the team as they enter the group stages of the Europa League.
This announcement comes after much speculation over who will be the next coach for Dinamo. Names such as Felix Magath and Thomas Schaaf were tossed around in several rumors, but Dinamo King and Supreme Ruler, Zdravko Mamić, settled on bringing back Ivanković.
“I am proud and happy to have returned to Dinamo. We have quality players, and I believe that we will play fantastic football and achieve results that will satisfy our fans,” Ivanković said during his return to Maksimir.
Ivanković left Dinamo the first time after a dispute between him and Zdravko Mamić, and again for the second time after winning the Croatian Double when he was offered a coaching job abroad.
As they say; Third time’s the charm.
NK OSIJEK 1 – 0 HNK HAJDUK SPLIT
Hajduk drops three points for the second week in a row, this time on the road to NK Osijek in the Garden City.
Osijek have had major struggles in this first part of the season, receiving only their second win on Saturday. Their only over victory was against Slaven Belupo on Aug. 2.
A strong defense is what has defined Osijek the past few seasons, but defense is now one of their biggest problems. The club has given up 21 goals so far in eight matches, which is more than double the league average of goals against (10.9).
Fortunately for the home team, the defense stood strong and gave Hajduk their second shutout and second loss of the season.
Hajduk Split threatened early with a great goal-scoring opportunity from Franko Adrijašević’s attempt from just outside the penalty area.
Osijek had their chances early, too, most from quick counter attacks and caught Hajduk midfielders on their heels. Hajduk’s keeper, Lovre Kalinić, had to be called upon early on to make a big save that came from Josip Mišić.
Both teams tried very hard to break the scoreless match, and both teams came very close several times, but surprisingly, it was Osijek who looked more dangerous.
Karlo Lulić and Mišić both nearly had goals for Osijek with their late-game attempts on goal. The 17-year-old Lulić nearly put the match away for Osijek, but his shot was just wide.
The match entered stoppage time with the score still deadlocked at 0-0, Saša Novaković changed all of that when he scored in the 91st minute after nearly knocking down his own teammate to get to a ball that was only three yards away from goal.
The goal sent Hajduk home with no points, and gave Osijek their sixth point of the season, leaving them in eighth place on the league table.
HNK RIJEKA 1 – 1 NK LOKOMOTIVA
Rijeka hosted Lokomotiva at Kandrida on Monday afternoon for what promised to be the marquee match of the week.
Both clubs are playing their best football in years and are both fighting for the top spot in the league.
Rijeka is still celebrating their triumphant defeat of Bundasliga side, Stuttgart en rout to their appearance in the group stages of the Europa League, and will be riding on bout of confidence in front of their own fans.
Lokomotiva is playing their second game this week, as they played a make-up game against Hajduk on Wednesday, where they lost 3-1. The Lokosi would love to make up the lost points in Rijeka.
Rijeka have yet to win a game where Leon Benko has not scored a goal, so naturally, Lokomotiva focused heavily on defense and counter attacks while very carefully keeping their eye on the league’s leading scorer.
The Lokosi got off to an early lead when a counter attack started by Mathias Chago started a quick counter attack that turned into a scoring play. Dinko Trebotić received the ball and hit it from distance to give his team the lead.
Zoran Kvržić was in the right place at the right time when Ivan Krstanović took a shot but was blocked by defender Lamin Samateh. Unfortunatly for the Lokosi, the blocked shot went right to Kvržić who easily scored the tying goal.
The match would end with the teams tied at one goal a piece and they would split the points, putting the teams in a three-way tie for second on the league table with 16 points, four behind first-place Dinamo.
RNK SPLIT 1 – 0 NK HRVATSKI DRAGOVOLJAC
The woes continue for the Volunteers, as they drop another match over the weekend to Split.
Dragovoljac lost their fifth match of the season, leaving them in last place with only three points, which were awarded to them for their three draws this season.
Henri Belle scored for his club late in the match in the 74th minute to give his team the lead, which they would keep until the final whistle.
This was an emotional match for Split, as it was considered the farewell match for one of their top players, Ante Rebić. Rebić did not play in the match as he was sold to Italian club Fiorentina for a reported seven million Euros. The club president of Split offered Rebić flowers before the match as a farewell gift.
Split had several opportunities to put the game away much earlier than they did, but failed to convert their chances.
Dragovoljac tried to press for a goal, but the Split defense held tight and shut out the young team.
NK ZADAR 0 – 2 NK SLAVEN BELUPO
It took eight tough weeks, but Slaven Belupo finally were able to salvage their first win of the season when they traveled to Zadar over the weekend.
Zadar has been off to a great start this season, but failed to score a goal on their home field against Slaven.
The visitors took advantage of every opportunity given and it paid off.
Dejan Glavica scored first for the Pharmacists in the 68th minute when he faced the keeper all alone. Glavica calmly chipped goalkeeper, Mladen Matković for the goal.
Enes Novinić added an insurance goal in the 80th minute with his goal struck from 20 yards away.
The score held to the end of the match, and Slaven was awarded their first win of the season.
Branko Ivankovic is the new Dinamo-coach.
It’s gonna be a dog fight for 2nd all year