April 18, 2022 - The 31st round of the Croatian First League was held during Easter weekend - April 15 and 16, 2022. This round saw routine wins for Dinamo, Osijek, and Hajduk, while Rijeka is now out of the title fight after losing to Lokomotiva. Here is our HNL round 31 recap.
Dinamo v. Istra 1961 (3:0)
Dinamo and Istra opened the 31st round on Friday, April 15, 2022, at Maksimir Stadium in front of 2607 fans.
Orsic scored Dinamo's first goal in the 8th minute for 1:0. Orsic scored again off of an Ademi assist in the 2nd minute of stoppage time, making it 2:0 going into halftime. Emreli secured Dinamo's victory just 5 minutes into the second half with a goal for 3:0.
Dinamo is currently in 1st place with 66 points and a game in hand, while Istra is in 9th with 26.
Hajduk v. Gorica (1:0)
Hajduk and Gorica played the second match on Friday, April 15, 2022, at Poljud in front of 11,482 fans.
Hajduk's only goal of the match came in the 13th minute. Vukovic's shot deflected off Jovicic for a Gorica own goal and 1:0 Hajduk. The rest of the match went without goals.
Hajduk is currently in 3rd place with 59 points and a game in hand, while Gorica is in 6th with 40.
Sibenik v. Slaven Belupo (2:1)
Sibenik and Slaven Belupo met on Saturday, April 16, 2022, in Sibenik.
Vidovic scored Sibenik's first goal in the 14th minute for 1:0. Delic increased Sibenik's lead to 2:0 in the 37th minute. Krstanovic missed a penalty for Belupo in the 53rd minute, though Crnac was about to get a goal for Belupo in the 66th for the final 2:1.
Sibenik is currently in 8th place with 29 points, while Belupo is in 7th with 30.
Osijek v. Hr. Dragovoljac (2:1)
Osijek and Dragovoljac met on Saturday, April 16, 2022, at City Garden Stadium.
Zaper scored Osijek's first goal in the 3rd minute before Galesic equalized for 1:1 in the 32nd. Topcagic secured Osijek's victory with a goal in the 2nd minute of stoppage time for 2:1 at the half. Neither team was able to score in the second half.
Osijek is currently in 2nd place with 64 points, while Dragovoljac is in last place with 15.
Lokomotiva v. Rijeka (2:1)
Lokomotiva and Rijeka closed out the 31st round on Saturday, April 16, 2022, in Zagreb.
Lokomotiva scored their first goal in the 18th minute though VAR ultimately ruled it offside to keep the match 0:0. Stojkovic scored in the 38th minute for 1:0 Lokomotiva at the half. Kacavenda increased Lokomotiva's lead in the 46th minute, while Drmic got one goal for Rijeka in the 2nd minute of stoppage time for the final 2:1.
Lokomotiva is currently in 5th place with 43 points, while Rijeka is in 4th with 55.
***Hajduk and Dinamo will play the crucial 9th round makeup match on Wednesday, April 20 at Poljud. Hajduk must win in order to stay in the title fight.
You can see the HNL table HERE.
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