Hajduk and Rijeka both picked up a draw in the first leg of the Europa League third qualifying round.
August 10, 2018 - Hajduk and FCSB (Fotbal Club Steaua București) played without goals at Poljud in front of 25,000 fans.
Despite being the better team for most of the match, Hajduk could not find a way to score against the Bucharest club. In the first 45 minutes, Hajduk created three great opportunities and the first two from their outside players. The first was in the 12th minute when Fomitschow shot from 10 meters out, but FCSB's goalkeeper Balradean managed to defend the shot. Just one minute later, Juranović hit from just outside the penalty area. Ivanovski also threatened the away team in the 35th minute, but failed with his header.
In the second half, the rhythm of the match was much weaker, and Hajduk had the best chance at the very end. In the 90th minute, Said hit above the keeper from a corner, but Balgardean was able to save the shot right below the crossbar.
In the final second, FCSB had their only real chance to score, but Posavec made an incredible save to keep the game 0:0.
The return match will be played in Bucharest on Thursday.
The winner of Hajduk - FCSB will play in the 4th qualifying round against the best of Slovan Bratislava - Rapid Vienna.
Rijeka also tied 1:1 against Sarpsborg from Norway in the first leg of the Europa League third qualifying round.
Sarpsborg’s Kristofer Zacharuassen hit a penalty in the 72nd minute for 1:0, while Alexander Gorgon equalized for Rijeka in the 83rd with a shot from 25 meters out.
Rijeka missed a huge opportunity in the 9th minute after a corner kick from Pavičić was deflected by a Norwegian defender, and in the 31st minute, Heber failed to cross the Norwegian goalkeeper, who fantastically defended Gorgon in the 52nd minute.
Rijeka and Sarpsborg will meet for the rematch at Rujevica on Thursday.
Source: Gol.hr
