Just four days after the Cup match the eternal rivals met again, but this time, Hajduk was much better making the title race interesting again, as Rijeka is now just two points behind Dinamo on the top of the table
Hajduk’s supporters wanted only one thing, for their team to play a more aggressive game than the last one, and that is exactly what they got in the match played on Poljud, March 20, 2016. The guests were missing their best attackers, but Hajduk started the match in great shape, playing an intensive and much more aggressive game than a few days before. They were rewarded for it the fourth minute of the game when youngster Fran Tudor broke trough a huge gap in Dinamo’s defence and scored what was to be the only goal of the match.
It was a nice match to watch, as opportunities emerged on both sides of the pitch, with Hajduk missing some great chances, and hitting the post on two occasions while the guests had, at least, the same number of opportunities.
As an introduction to the game, Hajduk players and staff visited one school in Split, and coach Damir Burić said he was deeply touched by one little boy also visiting the school called Gabrijel, who burst into tears whilst speaking to him and begged him not to lose again, as he was really sad after the last match. Mr Burić promised Gabrijel a much better game and told the press he will do everything in his power not to make him sad again. Gabrijel was watching today’s match, and surely he can be proud of his contribution in motivating the players. After this match, tears of joy were the only ones possible for him.
This is a huge blow for Dinamo, as Rijeka has come really close, and actually has a chance to overthrow Dinamo from the top with a win against them in Rijeka next month. As for Hajduk, this win has probably secured their third place on the table, and they can now prepare to stage a miracle in the return Cup match against Dinamo. Mission impossible, probably, but as young star Nikola Vlašić said; as competitors, we always hope to win.
