Croatia’s marquee match was scheduled for this Saturday, but was called off due to HNK Hajduk Split’s refusal to take the field.
After many conflicting reports, it has been officially stated that the police submitted a list of 92 members of Torcida to the Dinamo Zagreb management stating they have been “black listed” due to behavioral concerns. These fans had no prior knowledge of their banishment from the stadium, but were denied access when purchasing tickets to the game.
In a movement of solidarity, the rest of Torcida refused to enter the stadium and boycotted the match. When players and management of Hajduk Split got wind of what the fans were doing, they refused to take to the field and match officials were forced to award a 3-0 win to Dinamo.
An emergency meeting of the HNS will be held at 11 am on Tuesday concerning disciplinary actions placed on Hajduk and its fans.
Members of Torcida took to Poljud upon their return to Split that night to honor their team and thank them for standing with them.
HNK Rijeka traveled to Zadar to face the struggling team from the coast and furthered the club’s woes by beating them with a score of 1-0.
Rijeka’s only goal came from their resident Brazilian, Moises. Moises scored the goal in the 61st minute in the midst of a Zadar counter attack. Anas Sharbini stole the ball and created a counter of his own before feeding the ball to the Brazilian for the finish.
Rijeka was expected to win the match, as they have been one of the top teams in the league this season. The first time the two teams met this season was at Kantrida and ended in an embarrassing 6-1 defeat for Zadar.
But it was a little different at Stanomir Stadium. And Zadar is run by a different man; a man that is keen in player discipline.
Zadar’s coach, Ćiro Blazević, was not pleased with his team’s loss, but has seemed to mold them into shape to a point where they were able to keep up with a much bigger club.
Here is a look at how Ćiro runs his club. The video is from when he coached NK Zagreb.
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NK Lokomotiva unexpectedly drew with struggling Slaven Belupo over the weekend with a score 0-0.
But the fans from Koprivnica have something to smile about after the draw as their team is not in last place for the first time in several weeks. With the point gained on the weekend, they have sole possession of ninth place.
Lokomotiva still remain in fourth place, five points behind Hajduk Split.
Osijek and Istra kicked off the match week this week with a 1-1 draw on Friday.
Dejan Radonjić was the goal scorer for Istra, while Matej Jonjić knotted up the score for Osijek only a few minutes later.
With the Vječni Derbi cancelled, the Mali Derbi had to step it up to provide fans with some exciting football.
NK Zagreb escaped from the grip of defeat in the last minute thanks to a goal from Gabrijel Boban in the 90th minute to ensure Zagreb a point on the road.
Everyone knows the struggle away teams face when visiting Park Mladi, but Zagreb worked against the odds to avoid defeat.
RNK Split score their first goal from the penalty spot in the 33rd minute after receiving two chances to score a penalty.
The first penalty came in the 31st minute, but Zagreb’s young goalkeeper, Dominik Livaković made a big save and kept the teams tied with no score, but from the ensuing corner kick, Boban appeared to touch the ball with his upper arm and Split were awarded another penalty, which was met by heavy protest by the Zagreb players.
There was only so much the young goalkeeper could do and despite diving in the right direction, he let the second attempt into the goal.
Split went ahead by two goals int he 53rd minute thanks to Sokol Cikalleshi second goal of the game, but Zagreb said enough was enough and answered back a minute later with a goal in the 54th minute from Denis Kolenger.
Ultimately, the teams split the points and remain neck to neck in the standings.
Nice job by Rijeka! They keep their knockout stage hopes alive. I’m a bit disappointed that Dinamo couldn’t come through.
I just saw the game Rijeka against Standard. Two-nul for Rijeka. Great performance of Rijeka.
This League is GONE ! Let’s throw bombs ! Boyfriend that helps
Puppet is on vacation. My bet he is womenizing (has made some bad choices in the past) and losing money at some poker table.
So… What’s going on with our boy Šuker?
Why was he MIA? What’s he doing in London? Is something up? Speculation, Speculation…
Hopefully something is up.
Too bad Hajduk gave Dinamo three points.
It would be awesome if Hajduk just throws their matches against Rijeka, and tries to take points from Dinamo in their matches. Pull a Lokomotiva.
Well, well, well look who’s closin’ in on Dinamo. Riejka comming close. Hopefully the race becomes tighter to make things interesting.
http://www.index.hr/sport/clanak/svetina-dinamo-odustaje-od-tuzbe-protiv-hajduka-i-zahtjeva-za-nadoknadom-stete/786506.aspx
looks like they are beginning to shit themselves