February 4, 2019 - The 19th round of the Croatian First League returned over the weekend with a big result for Hajduk Split.
After a long winter break, the Croatian First League (HNL) returned to Croatia’s stadiums and television screens around the country. After missing our favorite Croatian clubs play in league games since the middle of December, this comeback was more than welcomed.
The 19th round already saw derbies and upsets, like Hajduk overcoming Osijek away at City Garden Stadium, promising better beginnings for the team and fans. Could this be a Hajduk revival?
We also saw an upset for Rijeka, who lost to former Second-League club Gorica at home. A spring season opener they might wish to forget.
Without further ado, here is our 19th round recap for the Croatian First League, which was played from February 1 to 3, 2019.
Lokomotiva Zagreb v. Inter Zaprešić (2:0)
To kick off the second part of the season, Lokomotiva and Inter met on Friday, February 1, 2019, at Kranjčevićeva Street Stadium.
While the first half went without goals, the second half didn’t see the first goal of the game until the 81st minute when Uzuni scored for Lokomotiva (1:0). Twelve minutes later, two minutes into extra time, Ivanušec knocked a penalty into the back of the net to secure the Lokomotiva win.
Lokomotiva is currently in third place on the table with 34 points while Inter is in 8th with 17.
Dinamo Zagreb v. Rudeš (7:2)
Croatian champion Dinamo met Rudeš on Saturday, February 2, 2019, at Maksimir stadium.
The game saw goals, and quite a few of them early on - with Hajrović (5, 9), Petković (19), and Gojak (40) scoring in the first half for Dinamo. Rudeš got in one goal by Štrkalj in the 23rd for 4:1 at the half.
The second half started with more goals for Dinamo, as Orišić scored three times, in the 56th, 60th, and 65th. Štrkalj scored again for Rudeš, and the game ended 7:2.
Dinamo is currently in first place with 48 points while Rudeš is in last with 3.
Istra 1961 v. Slaven Belupo (1:1)
Istra and Slaven Belupo met at Aldo Drosina Stadium in Pula on Saturday, February 2, 2019.
A rather quiet game that went without goals in the first half, N’Di scored for Istra first in the 64th minute, while Belupo was quick to equalize less than 10 minutes later with a goal by Krstanović for 1:1.
Istra is currently in 9th place with 16 points, while Belupo is in 7th with 18.
Osijek v. Hajduk (0:1)
Osijek and Hajduk met for the highly anticipated derby on Sunday, February 3, 2019, at City Garden Stadium.
The two rivals met in the pouring rain, which didn’t help any conditions on the pitch. The first half went without goals, though it was Hajduk’s Caktaš to score 4 minutes into the second half for 0:1. The Split club managed to hold onto their lead to kick off the second part of the season with a win, and high morale.
Osijek is currently in 2nd place with 34 points, while Hajduk is in 6th with 26.
Rijeka v. Gorica (1:3)
Rijeka and Gorica met at Rujevica to close out the 19th round on Sunday, February 3, 2019.
While it was Rijeka’s Acosty to kick off the scoring of the game for 1:0 six minutes in, Gorica was given a penalty in the 30th to equalize (1:1).
Gorica’s Dvorneković scored in the 57th minute to give the away team the lead, and Maloča scored in the 87th to secure Gorica’s win.
Rijeka is currently in 4th place with 34 points while Gorica is in 5th with 30.
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