July 29, 2022 - Not the best night for Croatian football as Rijeka and Osijek were both eliminated from the Conference League in the 2nd qualifying round. A look at what happened on Thursday night.
Rijeka
After Djurgarden celebrated 2-1 at Rujevica, the Swedish club beat Rijeka in the return match 2-0 (0-0), which concluded Rijeka's European dream in this season's Conference League 2nd qualifying round.
Rijeka played better than in the first match, especially in the first 45 minutes in Stockholm, but it was too little to advance in the end. Djurgarden crushed Rijeka in the second half when both goals were scored. Hien scored in the 55th minute and Banda in the 84th minute.
The first half was aggressive on both sides, yet both teams were cautious, and Rijeka looked more determined compared to the first match at Rujevica.
Ampem and Frigan were the biggest threat to Djurgarden. In the 25th minute, Prince Ampem scored with his head. However, the Rijeka player was offside, and the goal did not count. Real chances on both sides were few and far between.
Djurgarden opened the second half much better and scored in the 55th minute for 1-0. In the 84th minute, Emmanuel Banda made the final 2-0, which secured Djurgarden's spot in the next round.
Osijek
Later that evening, Osijek played their Conference League 2nd qualifying round return match at home against Kazakhstani club Kyzylzhar SK. Osijek won 2-1 away in the first match.
Giorgi Ivaniadze scored for Kyzylzhar in the 61st minute and Moussa Kone in the 71st minute.
Osijek was a much better opponent in the first half and threatened the goal on several occasions. However, Kyzylzhar had the only possible chance in the first half in the 10th minute.
Everything changed in the 61st minute when Kyzylzhar unexpectedly took the lead. Ivaniadze scored just one minute after entering the game.
The conceded goal did not wake up Osijek. Ten minutes later, Kyzylzhar scored a second goal and secured the next round of the competition.
After the second goal, Osijek coach Nenad Bjelica threw all his cards into the attack, introduced Beljo and Mance, and with three attackers, tried to score a goal that would take the match into extra time. However, even though there were more than 20 minutes left, Osijek did not create a likely scoring opportunity and deservedly said goodbye to Europe this season.
Nejašmić's incomprehensible own goal at the end of the first match when Osijek was leading 2-0 came back to haunt them.
But there is still some hope for Croatian clubs. Hajduk will play in the 3rd qualifying round next week against the winner of Puskas Akademia and Vitória de Guimarães.
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