Results for April 4-6, 2014
GNK DINAMO ZAGREB 5 – 0 NK HRVATSKI DRAGOVOLJAC
Dinamo Zagreb total domination continues as the have been crowned champions of Croatia for the ninth consecutive season after a convincing win over Hrvatski Dragovoljac.
Three points was all that was needed for Dinamo to put first place mathematically out of reach of any other team. Dinamo earned the three points at Maksimir stadium in front of 1,500 of their own fans.
Goals from five different players, including one from youngster Alen Halilović as well as Said Husejinović in his first match since returning from a back injury.
Duje Čop extended his goal-scoring lead with his outstanding 22nd goal of the season.
With the title all wrapped up, Dinamo must still finish off the season, they are looking for more wins.
“Of course, we must finish the season, and we will try to ensure as many victories as possible,” Dinamo midfielder, Jerko Leko sad. “But the exhilaration of winning the title is really great. Congratulations teammates, headquarters, the whole team and all the fans of Dinamo.”
Dinamo will face Lokomotiva next week at Maksimir, but will be the visiting team for the match.
Hrvatski Dragovoljac will continue their fight to stay in the first division, and will face Zadar next match week.
Dragovoljac goalkeeper and captain, Ivan Čović was unable to play in the match against Dinamo due to yellow card accumulation, but he will be available to play next week in Zadar.
HNK HAJDUK SPLIT 2 – 2NK LOKOMOTIVA
Lokomotiva came back from a two-goal deficit to tie the match and steal a point from Hajduk Split at Poljud.
Hajduk went ahead with a goal from Tino Sven Sušić in the 31st minute and another goal from Anton Maglica, who scored his 12th goal of the season in the 52nd minute.
But the Lokosi were able answer back quickly after the Bili’s second goal. Ante Budimir cut the deficit in half in the 56th minute, but Mario Muša tied the match with his goal that came only 10 minutes later.
Hajduk is struggling to return to second place, but still has time to clinch the second European spot and face Slaven Belupo next week.
The Lokosi are 12 points out of the final European spot, and look to be out of luck when trying to see European play next season.
NK OSIJEK 2 – 0 HNK RIJEKA
Osijek beat out the odds and not only defeated Rijeka, but shut them out on a water-soaked pitch at Gradski Vrt.
Osijek added three crucial points in their attempt to avoid relegation and further distanced themselves from Slaven Belupo.
The rain poured in sheets throughout the match, but that didn’t stop Osijek from scoring two goals from two corner kicks.
Josip Barišić scored the first goal of the match with a head at the near post from a corner kick in the 29th minute. Osijek doubled the lead with another header off a corner from Matej Jonjić in the 77th minute.
Rijeka was not without their chances to score, but could not beat Zvonimir Mukulić in net, nor could they beat the impenetrable white wall of nine defenders that rested in from of their net, protecting their goalie.
Rijeka remains in second place with the loss, but leaves the door open for Hajduk to catch up.
NK ISTRA 1961 3 – 3 NK SLAVEN BELUPO
Istra and Slaven played to a hard fought draw this week in Pula.
Slaven held a lead three on three separate occasions in the match, but Istra was able to tie it up every time.
Slaven was hoping for three more points to help their cause to avoid relegation, but for the time being, one point will suffice,and they remain three points ahead of Dragovoljac.
NK ZADAR 0 – 1 RNK SPLIT
Split’s Ante Erceg was the hero for the Reds this week with his lone goal in the 26th minute in Zadar.
Split remains nine points behind their neighbors, Hajduk, for the last European spot, and have seen their chances of participating in teh UEFA Europa League next season slip away.