The 10th round of the Croatian First League was played from October 5 to 7, 2018.
The 10th round of the Croatian First League did not pass without disappointment – and this is especially true for the fans of Rijeka and Hajduk.
Rijeka failed to win yet again, and this time against Gorica, which forced the departure of coach Matjaž Kek after 5.5 years. Hajduk, who played their last home game in the presence of fans before they serve four games in front of an empty stadium, was unable to put up the fight against Osijek, who proved they were simply the much better team in the end.
With two of Croatia’s top clubs faltering, what will happen next? Without further ado, here’s our 10th round recap.
Inter Zaprešić v. Lokomotiva (2:1)
Inter and Lokomotiva met in Zaprešić to open the 10th round on Friday, October 5, 2018.
Lokomotiva opened the scoring with a goal by Kastrati in the 14th minute, which then saw Inter equalize in the 20th with a goal by Mamut. The game was 1:1 at the half.
Mamut came through again for Inter in the 64th minute for 2:1 and helped Inter hold on to their lead until the final whistle. The game ended 2:1 for the home team.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v=vijSSSH3OOU
Inter is currently in 8th place with 10 points, while Lokomotiva is in 3rd with 19.
Gorica v. Rijeka (2:1)
Gorica and Rijeka met in Gorica in front of almost 2,700 fans on October 6, 2018.
Though it was Rijeka’s Puljić to score first on a penalty in the added time of the first half, it did not take long for Gorica to equalize – and Zwolinski did just that in the 54th minute for 1:1.
Rijeka held on to the draw until the 80th minute when Atiemwen scored for 2:1, which was the final score of the game. Rijeka coach Matjaž Kek was released of his duties after the match.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v=4DwGfr7bDVY
Gorica is currently in 4th place with 16 points, while Rijeka is in 5th with 14.
Slaven Belupo v. Istra 1961 (3:1)
Belupo and Istra met in Koprivnica on October 6, 2018.
Belupo kicked off the scoring early on with a goal by Vidović in the 8th minute for 1:0, which Belupo held until the half.
A goal by Mendy in the 66th made the game 2:0, though Istra came back in the 75th with a goal by Perić for 2:1. In the 91st minute, Belupo’s Bačelić-Grgić secured the win with a goal for the final score of 3:1.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v=rt2UyvbDqLs
Belupo is currently in 6th place with 12 points, while Istra is in 9th with 8.
Rudeš v. Dinamo (0:3)
Rudeš and Dinamo met on Sunday, October 7, 2018, at Kranjčevićeva.
Dinamo dictated the game early on with two goals by Budimir in the 23rd and 28th minute for 0:2 at the half. A final goal by Dinamo’s Rrahmani in the 74th ended the game 0:3 for the Croatian champion.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v=o3yLyORx_Ok
Dinamo is currently in first place with 24 points, while Rudeš is in last with two.
Hajduk v. Osijek (0:2)
Hajduk and Osijek met for the final game of the 10th round at Poljud on Sunday, October 7, 2018.
While the first half saw the teams relatively even, it was Osijek’s Boban to score in the 36th minute for 0:1. And that wasn’t all – Osijek’s Marić took advantage of a weak Hajduk defense for 0:2, which was the final result of the game.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v=enTjSbGKPBU
Hajduk is currently in 7th place with 11 points, while Osijek is in 2nd with 20.
