May 9, 2022 - The 34th round of the Croatian First League was played from May 6 to 8, 2022. This derby weekend featured Rijeka-Hajduk and Dinamo-Osijek, with both Hajduk and Dinamo winning 3:0, leaving Osijek out of the title race. Here is our HNL round 34 recap.
Hr. Dragovoljac v. Slaven Belupo (1:1)
Dragovoljac and Belupo opened the 34th round on Friday, May 6, 2022, in Zagreb.
Frigan gave Dragovoljac the early lead for 1:0 in the 3rd minute Krstanovic was unable to equalize for Belupo until the 50th minute for 1:1. Karrica received his second yellow in the 81st minute, forcing Dragovoljac to pay with a man down for the remainder of the match.
Dragovoljac remains in the last place with 19 points and will be relegated from the First League, while Belupo is in 7th with 35.
Gorica v. Lokomotiva (3:3)
Gorica and Lokomotiva met on Saturday, May 7, 2022, in Velika Gorica.
Atiemwen made it 1:0 for Gorica in the 24th minute while Kalik scored for 2:0 in the 39th. Pivaric came back for 2:1 Lokomotiva three minutes later. Pivaric received his second yellow in the 67th minute, leaving Lokomotiva with a player less. However, Keita was also sent off just 5 minutes later, leveling the playing field. Kulenovic scored for 2:3 in the 85th minute and Kalik scored a penalty for 3:3 in the 90th minute which was the final score.
Gorica is currently in 6th place with 41 points, while Lokomotiva is in 5th with 46.
Istra 1961 v. Sibenik (1:2)
Istra and Sibenik met on Saturday, May 7, 2022, in Pula.
Delic put Sibenik ahead in the 26th minute for 0:1. Curic made it 0:2 just before the half. Caseres came back with a goal for 1:2 in the 73rd minute, which was the final score.
Istra is currently in 9th place with 28 points, while Sibenik is in 8th with 32.
Rijeka v. Hajduk (0:3)
Rijeka and Hajduk kicked off the first big derby on Sunday, May 8, 2022, at Rujevica.
Two Livaja goals in the 13th and 37th minutes put Hajduk ahead by 0:2. Mikanovic scored for 0:3 just before the half. Drmic was shown a red card in the 56th minute, forcing Rijeka to play with a man down for the remainder of the match.
Rijeka is currently in 4th place with 61 points, while Hajduk is in 2nd with 69.
Dinamo v. Osijek (3:0)
Dinamo and Osijek closed out the 34th round on Sunday, May 8, at Maksimir Stadium.
Orsic put Dinamo in the 1:0 lead in the 34th minute. Osijek's Cheberko was shown his second yellow just 10 minutes later, forcing them to play with a man down for the rest of the match. Spikic made it 2:0 for Dinamo in the 60th minute before Menalo secured Dinamo's win in the 80th for the final 3:0.
Dinamo is currently in 1st place with 73 points, while Osijek is in 3rd with 65 and is no longer in the title race.
With just two rounds to go, Dinamo and Sibenik meet next Sunday in Sibenik, while Hajduk and Istra meet on Saturday at Poljud. If Dinamo draws or loses to Sibenik, the Croatian champion will be determined in the final round at Maksimir Stadium between Dinamo and Hajduk.
You can see the HNL standings HERE.
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