For the third consecutive season, Istra fought for safety in the promotion/relegation playoffs. The disparity between the Prva Liga and Druga Liga was shown for another year running as NK Istra 1961 staved off relegation by defeating NK Orijent 3-1 on aggregate in the promotion/relegation playoffs. In the past 20 seasons, only three Druga Liga teams have been … [Read more...] about NK Istra 1961 Safe From Relegation … Again
NK Istra 1961
HNL Title Race Remains Hot
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Just when you thought it was over, Rijeka overtook Dinamo on Saturday at Maksimir, closing the gap between the clubs to six points with four matches to go. Dinamo passed a tough test at Poljud last week, greatly increasing their odds of being once again crowned champions of Croatia, but they had one last difficult hill to climb when they hosted Rijeka this past … [Read more...] about HNL Title Race Remains Hot
No Paychecks, No problem … Yet
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Players and staff of NK Istra 1961 have now gone seven months without pay. Imagine that happening in any reputable sports league; Imagine any American athlete getting their paycheck one second late. Lawsuits would be filed and players would walk away. But for the Puljani, they are not only continuing to play, but are playing their best football all season … [Read more...] about No Paychecks, No problem … Yet
HNL Week 19, Hrvatski Kup, and a Regional League?
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El Arbi Hillel Soudani struck a wundergol on Sunday suitable for any league, level or country of play during Dinamo’s 3-1 win over NK Lokomotiva. The goal was properly assisted by youngster Borna Soša, who showed quite a bit of skill on his own in order to send the cross to Soudani. Soudani also scored the opening goal of the match while Ivan Fiolić scored his first goal … [Read more...] about HNL Week 19, Hrvatski Kup, and a Regional League?
HNL Week 13
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It was a rough weekend for the away teams, who collectively scored zero goals in any match. Dinamo Zagreb hosted Cibalia and kept them winless on Saturday morning, handing them a 3-0 shutout. Angelo Henriquez ended a six-month goal drought, finally finding the back of the net in the 42nd minute against the last place team. The former Manchester United man also appeared in … [Read more...] about HNL Week 13
HNL In A Nutshell – Week 7
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Routine wins came for Dinamo and Rijeka over the weekend, leaving the two clubs tied for the top position on the table while the Osijek re emerges as a league contender and sits three points behind in third place. Dinamo beat NK Istra 1961 2-1 in Pula, leaving the Puljani still in search of their first win while Rijeka soundly took care of Slaven Belupo … [Read more...] about HNL In A Nutshell – Week 7
HNL Week Six
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Dinamo Zagreb squeaked a win out on Friday to kick off the sixth match w eek of the HNL against RNK Split at Maksimir, only three days after drawing 1-1 against Red Bull Salzburg in the Champions League playoff round. The lone goal of the match came in the 62nd minute from Domagoj Antolić, who scored on a rebound coming off a great effort from Ante Čorić. Ante Čorić has … [Read more...] about HNL Week Six
HNL Week 5: Is Osijek For Real?
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Another routine win for Dinamo puts them back on top of the table after Junior Fernandes and Soudani each knotted goals for the Modri. The 2-1 win on Saturday came on the heels of a massive victory over Hajduk at Poljud on Wednesday. Two goals from Marko Rog and two from Junior Fernandes solidified a 4-0 thrashing of Hajduk by Dinamo. Dinamo took that momentum back to … [Read more...] about HNL Week 5: Is Osijek For Real?
HNL Week 4
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Dinamo Zagreb traveled to Vinkovci Saturday and took all three points with a routine 2-0 shutout. El Arbi Hillel Soudani scored the first goal in the 18th minute. Dinamo played with the 1-0 lead until Cibalia captain Frane Vitaić mistakenly put the ball in his own net to make it 2-0. Apparently, no real harm was done by Vitaić, as he officially extended his contract with … [Read more...] about HNL Week 4
