September 20, 2021 - The 9th round of the Croatian First League was held from September 17 to 19, 2021. The 'Eternal Derby' between Hajduk and Dinamo at Poljud was postponed due to Dinamo's Europa League schedule, while Osijek's late-winner against Gorica saw the match end 3:2 at City Garden. Here is our HNL Round 9 recap.
Hr. Dragovoljac v. Rijeka (2:2)
Dragovoljac and Rijeka opened the 9th round in Zagreb on Friday, September 17, 2021, in front of 420 spectators.
Petković and Majstorović shocked Rijeka with a 2:0 lead by the 36th minute. Ampem got a goal back for Rijeka in the 57th minute for 2:1, and Pavičić equalized 3 minutes later for 2:2. Vuckic's goal was called offside in the final minute of regulation time, so the match ended in a draw.
Dragovoljac is currently in last place with 5 points, while Rijeka is in 1st with 17 points (and one game less).
Slaven Belupo v. Istra 1961 (1:1)
Belupo and Istra met in Koprivnica on Saturday, September 18, 2021.
The first half went without goals but saw Navarro receive a red card, forcing Istra to play with a man down from the 41st minute. Krstanovic scored a penalty at the start of the second half for the Belupo lead, but Perkovic equalized in the 5th minute of injury time for 1:1.
Belupo is currently in 9th place with 6 points, while Istra is in 8th with 7 (and one game less).
Šibenik v. Lokomotiva (2:1)
Šibenik and Lokomotiva met on Saturday, September 18, 2021, in Šibenik.
Marin scored in the 5th minute for the early Šibenik lead, though Dabro scored a penalty in the 28th minute for 1:1 at the half. Marin scored his second goal of the match in the 77th minute for the 2:1 Šibenik win.
Šibenik is currently in 7th place with 10 points, while Lokomotiva is in 6th with 11 (and one game less).
Osijek v. Gorica (3:2)
Osijek and Gorica closed out the 9th round at City Garden Stadium on Sunday, September 19, 2021.
Kalik gave Gorica the lead in the 29th minute. Daku didn't equalize for Osijek until the 75th. Brodic put Gorica back in the lead 6 minutes later, and Daku equalized again for 2:2 in the 84th minute. Loncar gave Osijek the late-game winner in the 3rd minute of injury time for a final score of 3:2.
Osijek is currently in 2nd place with 17 points, while Gorica is in 5th with 13.
You can see the full HNL table HERE.
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