Another round of the Croatian First League has come to an end. Here’s what happened.
The 19th round of the Croatian First League was held from Friday, December 8 to Sunday, December 10, 2017. The bout saw wins from the top five teams in the league and a healthy amount of yellow (and red) cards.
With Dinamo still 12 points ahead and sitting comfortably in first place, Osijek and Hajduk are still neck and neck for second. Rijeka may be continuing on an upward spiral as well, making for an always exciting first league.
Without further ado, here is our round 19 recap.
Inter Zaprešić v. Cibalia (3:2)
Inter and Cibalia met at Sports-Recreational Center Zaprešić to kick off the 19th round on Friday, December 8, 2017, at 18:00.
A rather exciting game with five goals in total to look forward to, the goal spree already began from the first minute (in just 32 seconds to be exact) when Inter’s Blažević found the back of the net for 1:0. Only 10 minutes later, however, Galić equalized for Cibalia making the game 1:1. After three consecutive yellow cards for the visiting team, it was Galić to put Cibalia in the lead this time around with a goal in the 46th minute. The game was 1:2 at the half.
That score didn’t last long, though, and Inter’s Adrić secured a penalty in the 50th minute to equalize. After Cibalia’s Milić was sent off the pitch for a double yellow, Inter’s Blažević was able to score again for 3:2, the final score of the game.
Inter currently sits in 5th place with 26 points while Cibalia is in 8th place with 17 points.
Dinamo v. Istra 1961 (5:1)
Dinamo and Istra met at Maksimir Stadium for the second match of the Croatian First League on Saturday, December 9, 2017.
What should have been an easy win for the leaders of the pack was just that after Dinamo’s Moro found the back of the net first in the 20th minute, followed by a goal from Soudani in the 38th to make the game 2:0 at the half.
The second half was made interesting after Istra’s Maksimović scored for 2:1 in the 49th minute, but, as expected, that score did not last night.
It was Dinamo’s Ćorić to score in the 78th for 3:1, followed by two goals from Hodzic in the 83rd and 92nd. The game ended 5:1 for Dinamo.
Dinamo is currently in first place with 47 points while Istra is in 9th place with 16.
Osijek v. Rudeš (3:0)
Osijek and Rudeš met at City Garden Stadium on December 9, 2017.
While the first half went scoreless for both teams (but with two yellow cards for each), the second half proved much better for the home side.
It was Osijek’s Mioć to kick off the goals after finding the back of the net in the 55th minute. Grezda followed in the 74th minute with a goal for 2:0, and Bockaj sealed the deal for Osijek in the 85th minute for 3:0, the final score of the match.
Osijek is currently in second place with 35 points while Rudeš is currently in the last place with 12 points.
Lokomotiva v. Hajduk (0:2)
Lokomotiva and Hajduk met at Maksimir Stadium for a change for their match on Sunday, December 10, 2017.
Due to unplayable conditions at Lokomotiva’s stadium, Hajduk visited the other Zagreb club at their eternal rival’s stadium for their 19th round meeting.
While the first half went without goals, the second half didn’t begin too promising for either side, but after Lokomotiva’s Dolezal was removed from the pitch for a double yellow in the 51st minute, Hajduk was bound to score. Though it took until the 66th minute, Hajduk’s Ohandza scored a stellar goal to make the score 0:1 for the visitors.
The next goal came after another double yellow for a Lokomotiva player, and Lovre Majer was sent off the pitch in the 81st minute, giving the home team 9 players on the pitch for the rest of the match. Surely a good way to capitalize for another goal, it was Frank Ohanzda for Hajduk again to secure a 2:0 win for the Split team in the 94th minute.
Hajduk is currently in 3rd place with 35 points while Lokomotiva is in 6th place with 22.
Rijeka v. Slaven Belupo (2:0)
Rijeka and Slaven Belupo met for the final match of the 19th round on December 10, 2017, at Rujevica.
Rijeka scored early after a goal by Punec in the 11th minute, making the game 1:0 at the half. It was until the 89th minute that Rijeka’s Crnic found the back of the net for 2:0, securing another satisfying win for the home team.
Their confidence is surely up after defeating AC Milan last week in their exit from Europa League.
Rijeka is currently in 4th place with 32 points while Slaven Belupo is in 7th with 20.
