People have been wondering where Marko Pjaca has gone lately. Well, to answer that question, he’s gone nowhere but the back of the net.
After his spectacular goal last weekend, Pjaca one-upped himself on Wednesday with a graceful display of footwork to score the only goal in the match against Istra.
Dinamo came out with a 1-0 win after Pjaca’s impressive individual effort in the sixth minute of the match.
Istra goalkeeper Vanja Iveša had no chance of stopping the goal, but remained a strong factor in the match, holding Dinamo to the singe wundergol in the first half.
Dinamo finish the match with three points, putting them five points clear of Rijeka.
Hajduk Split found themselves at the wrong end of a 95th minute goal as Osijek tie the Croatian giants at Poljud with a score of 2-2.
Osijek came out swinging in the first have, putting themselves on the score sheet first with a goal from Tomislav Sorša in the seventh minute.
Hajduk Split answered right back only five minutes later when Tino-Sven Šušić scored what might be the goal of the season.
Šušić’s goal came from a blast from nearly 30 yards out that left goalkeeper Borna Žitnjak helpless in his attempt to save it.
Šušić’s confidence was on a high, and gave him the will to try for goal again from distance. Šušić attempted another 20-plus yard shot, but left the crossbar rattling with his thunderous strike.
Zoran Nižić put Hajduk in the lead in the 36th minute, but that did not leave Osijek walking away from Split empty handed.
A 95th minute goal from Benedik Mioš stole points away from Hajduk and put one right in the hands of Osijek.
Hajduk are now nine points behind Rijeka in third place while Osijek remain in ninth place with 21 points.
As it stands now, Osijek sits in the relegation playoff position, while Cibalia Vinkoci sit in the promotion playoff spot in the 2.HNL. If the teams remain, there could be a Slavonija Derby like no other.
Hajduk was previously scheduled to face NK Inter Zaprešic in Zaprešic on Saturday, March 5. Due to a heavy rain event, the field at Zaprešic is unplayable due to flooding. The match has been rescheduled for Tuesday, March 8. Read more about it here.
Rijeka have been doing all it can to keep pace with Dinamo, and the club added another feather in its cap for the cause with a 2-1 victory in Split.
RNK Split are notoriously tough on their own turf, but Rijeka found a way to take home three points.
Split cane out with the first scoring chance of the match, but Draen Bagarić missed the net on a close-range opportunity against Ivan Vargić.
Mario Gavranovic put Rijeka on the board with his 32nd minute goal.
Gavranović flicked on a free kick sent in from Florentin Matei that was sent passed the diving Danijel Zagorac.
Split was given a favorable decision after the official believed he saw a handball in the box committed by Miral Samardzić, but at closer look, the ball appeared to have struck his chest.
The penalty was awarded, but it was Vargić who came out on top, making the save, but Amir Rrahmani tied the match for Split in the 45th minute on the ensuing corner kick.
Bekim Balaj was the hero for Rijeka, scoring the winning goal in the 73rd minute, but also made his team have to work much harder, after being sent off with his second yellow card in the 76th minute for arguing with the referee.
Rijeka were able to hold off Split while working with only 10 men and took home a well-deserved three points to keep Dinamo in their sights.
NK Lokomotiva and NK Inter Zaprečić have both been on the rise this season, so it was only logical to expect a good match from the two sides at Kranjčevićeva on Wednesday.
The two clubs are also vying for the fourth place sport in the table, along side RNK Split, adding to the drama.
But Inter wanted it more on Wednesday.
Even though the Lokosi struck first with a penalty shot in the 33rd minute, Inter was able to fight back and score two goals before the final whistle to take the three points.
Marko Kolar’s penalty put his side up in the first half, but Inter came roaring back thanks to a 62nd minute goal from Andrea Ottochain.
The match had ‘draw’ written all over it, but a late-game decision from the referee gave Ilja Nestorovski an opportunity from the spot; an opportunity he would not squander.
Nestorovski scored his 16th goal of the season to give his side the ultimate lead at Kranjčevićeva.
Lokomotiva currently sit in fifth place with 36 points, while Inter is right behind with 32 points.
Inter Zaprešić was scheduled to face Hajduk Split on Saturday, March 5, but due to poor field conditions and lack of proper drainage system, the match will be played on Tuesday, March 8.
Three goals in the first half were just what the doctor prescribed as Slaven Belupo soundly defeated NK Zagreb.
The Pharmacists started off with a 10th minute goal from Muzafer Ejupi, who scored his 10th goal of the season.
It was all down hill after that, with Mateas Delić scoring five minutes later and Filip Ozobić scoring in the 32rd minute.
Zagreb keeper Dominik Livaković did all he could, but was unable to make a save that was sharply put between his legs, and was left hung out to dry several times by his defense.
A bright moment for Livaković was a penalty save he made in the 27th minute.
Zagreb is destined to compete in 2.HNL next season. The only question is, will they take anyone with them?