It took seven weeks for Hajduk Split to find victory, but it finally came at the hands of new (returning) coach, Zoran Vuić. This is Vuić’s fifth stint at Hajduk, having managed the team last in 2007.
Mijo Caktaš netted two in the 3-1 victory for the Bili while Mirko Ivanovski earned a tally of his own in the second half. Rudeš was able to find a lone consolation goal, but the 90th minute strike could not remedy the fate of Rudeš, who themselves were also seeking their first win of the season.
Vuić enters Hajduk’s locker room at a very vulnerable time; with one win – and a win against the last place team, at that – the team still sits in seventh place, two points above possible relegation, though relegation should be on the minds of no team this early in the season.
Dinamo Zagreb maintained their position at the top with a close, but routine win at Velika Gorica on Saturday. Gorica was pleased to host Dinamo in their own stadium, which is still enjoying temporary first league status. The match was sold out several days prior to kick off and boasted a crowd of nearly 8,000.
Both teams had their chances, with Gorica showing they are not afraid of their opponents by applying a heavy dose of pressure early in the match. The Gorica defense also did their job for a time, keeping Dinamo off the score sheet through the first half of play.
Though both teams had chances, Dani Olmo was the only chance that counted. Olmo tapped in a slow rolling cross from the right side for the day’s only goal. One goal was all that was needed as Dinamo’s defense and goalkeeper, Dominik Livaković held on for their third clean sheet of the season, despite going down to 10 men in the 65th minute. Petar Stojanović was sent off after an unnecessarily high kick to the face of a Gorica attacker.
Rijeka and Osijek played to a tough 1-1 draw on Sunday, which left Osijek in second place, three points behind Dinamo while Rijeka is in fourth place, four points behind.
This match up has become one of the marquee derbies as of late in the Prva Liga. Both clubs will be vying for a place in Europe and will certainly be neck and neck all season.
The scoring opened up with a goal from Heber to put Rijeka in the lead, but the lead was short lived as Osijek answered back seven minutes later with a goal from Petar Bočkaj.
Nk Lokomotiva are happy to fin themselves in third place after dumping five goals on NK Slaven Belupo. Lokosi’s Lirim Kastrati scored a hat trick, bringing his goal total to four goals in six matches played. The 19-year-old Kosovinian scored three goals in 13 matches played last season.
NK Istra 1961 found a late game-winner in the 87th minute of the foot of Ramon Mierez to defeat Inter Zaprešić on Friday evening 2-1. The win was Istra’s first victory of the season, but remain in ninth place.
Bockaj looks like a beast and has a decent left boot. I’d definitely have a look at him in the LB position. He’s clearly a threat from FKs too.
Well said SC…
I don’t think they’re mathematically eliminated, but if they can’t beat Poland with their NBA stars, good luck the rest of the way without them. Shame.
Rok Stipcevic
30 minutes
6 pts , 1 ast
I would have played any young guard who has an ounce potential.
No disrespect to Rok as he plays hard and is scrappy.
But wtf is HKS thinking with this roster?
It’s basketball, you need a point or lead guard.
6’8” mediocre athletes are not cutting it.
Big young talent are useless without a floor general.
World Cup would have been an embarrassment.
Time to turn the page.
Focus on youth.
Šarić is doing all the wrong training.
His lower leg power is non existent.
He needs frontal squats, Kettle bell Romainan dead lifts, hill sprints. He is probably doing back squats with shit form. He needs to go to an elite NBA P3 type place and increase his vertical explosion.
His jump shot is still flat.
Foul shot has hitch.
He is a baller and competes but he needs 20 cm of more vertical lift.
Hezonja has the bounce but no game.
HKS is trash.
Can’t produce one guard in 25 years!
RIP Dražen Petrović.
Rukamet should be banned.
RK do not let kids play basketball.
They get them early as you can throw that tiny ball into that big net.
4 NBA bigs and we can’t beat Poland in a must win.
Sramota.
BBall lose to Poland – no World Cup.