Hajduk Split’s woes continue with grandeur this weekend, which featured a shock defeat to HNK Gorica at Pojlud. The 2-0 win for Gorica was their first win of the season and first ever victory in Croatia’s top flight of football. The win also leaves Hajduk winless in four straight matches to start the 2018/19 season. This prompted the resignation of head coach, Zeljko Kopić and sporting director Saša Bjelanović; however, their resignation was not accepted by Hajduk president Jasmin Huljaj. Both maintain their current positions for now.
Gorica scored in the 27th minute and doubled the lead with a penalty in the 41st minute. Hajduk spent the second 45 minutes of the match searching for a comeback, but failed to even score one goal.
Dinamo Zagreb earned a hard-fought three points against Osijek at Maksimir over the weekend with a score of 2-1. Dinamo took the lead in the 21st minute thanks to a goal from Kevin Théophile-Catherine, but it was Mislav Oršić who will be credited with the eventual game-winning goal in the 86th minute.
An unfortunate error lead to Osijek’s lone goal, which was ultimately scored by Dinamo’s own Bruno Petković.
The final score gave Osijek their first loss of the season, but will certainly not stop them from putting up a fight for the top of the table.
Rijeka took care of business with a come-from-behind victory over Rudeš in Zagreb Sunday evening. Rudeš struck early with a goal from Borna Petrović in the 23rd minute, but successive goals in the 30th and 37th minute from Rijeka dug them out of a hole and put them on top. Rijeka remain on top of the table, thanks to their +7 goal differential.
NK Lokomotiva also remain tied on points with Rijeka and Dinamo, thanks to their 2-1 victory at Pula over the weekend. Ivan Krstanović scored his 78th goal in the HNL (94th of his career) to put the Lokosi in the lead early on, but Istra equalized in the 73rd minute. Lirim Kastrat struck in the 81st minute to give the Lokosi the 2-1 lead needed to earn all three points. They remain in second place thanks to their +6 goal differential.
^ me
Three weeks ago, I predicted Hajduk would finish fifth. Now, I’m hoping they avoid relegation.
Split and Zadar deserve to have 2 good clubs that are run properly.
Nice goal by Orsic. Another player who probably left too early. Maybe Muric should come back too.
Funny. This site is frequented by a ton of Dalmos.
Crickets.