CROPIX Joško Ponos/ Ibričić v. Križanac
Written By Tom Renić
Two goals from Zenit St. Petersburg inside the first six minutes of the second half proved to be the difference Thursday night as the Russian leaders hung on for a 3-2 win over Hajduk at Poljud. Zenit scored from the penalty spot in both the 47th and 51st minute to take what looked like an insurmountable 3-0 lead before Marin Ljubičić’s 68th minute strike sparked a furious comeback attempt for the “bijeli.”
Ante Vukušić slammed home Hajduk’s second of the night after the Zenit keeper misread the corner to make it 3-2, however Hajduk couldn’t claw their way back for the draw. Ljubičić had an opportunity to start the comeback in the 55th minute but his free header off a corner sailed wide of the empty Zenit net.
With the loss, Hajduk falls to the bottom of UEFA Europa League Group G on three points. RSC Anderlecht and AEK played to a 1-1 tie today, giving both the Belgian and Greek side four points.
Hajduk, the only one of the three clubs battling for second place in the group to have played Zenit twice, hosts AEK December 1st.
HAJDUK-ZENIT MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
Placi Hajdukov narode…….
I blame Strinic for the first goal more than Buljat. IF Strinic is able to clear the ball this mess does not happen. Buljat had no choice to foul on the first PK, the guy was already past him.
The3 2nd PK is totally on him. Poor defensive performance.
Although, he did have the assist on Vukusic's goal.
I would credit Buljat with four or five blunders on the three Zenit goals.
On the first, he turned and lept at the goalscorer when staying on his feet may have allowed him to block the shot.
On the second, a poor tackle to give away the penalty.
On the third, a very lazy tackle to give away the penalty. It was the sort of lame effort one makes when one has been run ragged. Frankly, I'm not sure why he would have been out on the periphery like that anyway.
And finally, on the third after Subasic made the save, far too slow in tracking the rebound. Actually, if you look at the replay, you'll see Maloca and Bulku standing like statues along the edge of the box on both penalty shots… incredibly undisciplined.
Yeah, I'd say he had a poor game.