The two leading teams of the 1st Croatian Football League faced off in Zagreb, with a minimal win for the Split-based players, but the focus is again on the referee
There was not much to be seen on the pitch in the first 45 minutes. Attention was more on the stands where Torcida fan club was in the spotlight for the first 18 minutes, while Bad Blue Boys kept silent over a decision by Dinamo leaders to deny entrance to the northern stands to all younger than 18, as Matija Majdak reported for Večernji List on February 18, 2018.
The only real opportunity was made by Dinamo in the 33rd minute, when Soudani evaded Hajduk defence and attempted to lob from 18 meters out, with a timely intercept by the Hajduk goalie of the ball sent by the Algerian. The second half saw Dinamo off to a better start, with an attempt by Ademi and then Soudani, stopped at the edge of the penalty box by the Letica goalie, with an on-going discussion if he used his hands outside the box.
Soon after came a counter by Hajduk, and the grave misunderstanding by Lešković and Livaković was used by Ohandza to easily score for the lead in the 53rd minute. The hosts had a chance to even up in the 60th minute when Olmo penetrated the left side, passing to Gavranović whose shot was blocked by defenders, but the ball came to Soudani who was 8-9 meters out, but Letica made a phenomenal save.
In the 63rd minute the Dinamo net was shaken again, but the goal by Said was justly voided due to an offside. Dinamo had the initiative, and the best opportunity came from a penalty shot in the 80th minute. It came after a doubtful call by referee Pejin who saw in the duel of Soudani and Borja Lopez a hand play by the Spaniard, and not a foul by the Algerian. Pejin also gave a second yellow card to the Hajduk defender, who had to leave the pitch. The penalty was taken by Gavranović, but he missed the entire goal.
A new debatable decision by the ref came in the 84th minute when Doumbia took down Ohandzu, but received only a yellow card. A similar situation the day before in a match between Osijek and Rijeka saw Župarić sent off in the 6th minute. The entire Hajduk bench was up in arms over the decision so coach Željko Kopić was sent to the stands. Dinamo did not manage to threaten Hajduk seriously by the end. Despite the defeat, Dinamo leads with 53 points, with Hajduk second with 44 points.
Translated from Večernji List.
