MaxTv Prva Liga Week 24

Dinamo Zagreb took care of business in front of 1,200 fans with a routine win against NK Zagreb at Maksimir.

Angelo Henriquez scored a double on the day that gave the Modri the 2-0 win that earned them the three points to add to their uncatchable lead on the table.

Marko Pjaca seemed to get the scoring going early on in the match but was ruled offsides and the goal was rightfully disallowed.

But Henriquez got the job done in the 28th minute then he tapped in a cross past Dominik Livakovic and into the net.

The score was doubled just before halftime when Henriquez struck a second time to score a beauty of a goal off a difficult volley.

Henriquez’s goal came from the help of the young and increasingly-impressive Ante Čorić.

Čorić handled the ball with grace and skill on several occasions during the match, including his assist to Henriquez. Earlier in the match, Čorić also finessed the ball into a clear shooting position to hit a long distance shot that just missed the target.

Following the success in the quarterfinals of the Hrvatski Kup, along with several injuries plaguing the squad, coach Zoran Mamić included many young and talented players in the lineup either as starters or substitutes.

Additionally to Čorić, Ivan Fiolić, Armin Hodžić, and Borna Sosa made appearances on Saturday.

Hajduk Split had the tough task of entering the Garden City to take on Osijek who have been playing some of their best football of the season recently.

Osijek has been a tough town for the Bili to play in as they have not beat Osijek on their home grounds since 2011.

But Hajduk were able to turn end that winless streak at Gradski Vrt thanks to the lone goal by Andrija Balić.

Avdija Vrašević started the quick counter attack with blazing speed and fed the ball to Nikola Vlasić. Vlasić beat the diving keeper but struck the post with his shot.

Balić was in position for the rebound and successfully finished the shot and put the Bili up 1-0.

The score would remain 1-0 and satisfy the criteria for a win, giving Hajduk their first victory at Osijek in four years.

4,000 fans were in attendance.

Rijeka is coming off a big 8-1 aggregate win over NK Lokomotiva after knocking them out of the Hrvatski Kup last week, but had to travel back to Kranjčevićeva to face them again on Monday.

After beating them 4-0 last week, Rijeka looked to do it again but failed to find the back of the net and were shut out by their opponents.

The match was scoreless until the 90 + 2’ then Jerko Leko scored from a penalty shot that was taken in front of 500 fans for the win.

The penalty came after Marko Vešković pulled down Ante Rukavina in the box. Much controversy surrounds the call, but Lokomotiva took advantage of it and were able to convert it to a goal.

Even more controversy surrounds a call made earlier in the night after Marin Tomasov’s goal was called back after being ruled offsides.

At further look, Tomasov appears to be onside, but the call stood, as does the speculation.

Rijeka have fallen 14 points behind Dinamo who have all but wrapped up the title with much time to spare. Rijeka are on pace to stay in second place, but must remain vigilant and avoid losing points late in the game.

The woes for Istra 1961 continue as they faced the only team below them in the standings, NK Zadar.

But Zadar did not end the day as the last-placed team. That title went to Istra, who fell to their fellow basement dwellers 2-0.

Victor Bastos received a yellow card in the 13th minute for Istra after taking down Žlemir Terkeš who broke away from the Istrian defense.

In the aftermath, Šime Gregov was sent off with a straight red card for seemingly unknown reasons.

Zadar debutant, Ivan Krstanović, stepped up to take the penalty and scored his first goal as a member of Zadar.

Lovre Ćirjak scored in the 20th minute with an impressive left footed shot that would give us the final score of 2-0.

RNK Split had once again proved to be tough at home against any opponent.

Slaven Belupo have been on a positive rise lately and were confident to take points from Split on the road, but Split, who have been on a downward slump, refused to accept that and took the match 2-0 on a cold and windy day in front of 150 of Splits most dedicated fans.

Sokol Cikalleshi scored first in the 35th minute and was followed by a goal from Mario Kvešić in the 54th minute to give the final score of 2-0.