HNL Round 24 Recap: Rudeš Finally Wins, Dinamo Tops Rijeka, Hajduk Closer to Top 4

March 11, 2019 – The 24th round of the Croatian First League was held from March 8 to 10, 2019. The weekend saw Rudeš win their first game this season, the highly anticipated derby between Dinamo and Rijeka, and Hajduk inch closer to the top 4.

Another round of the Croatian First League came and went, with a few upsets to boot. Last-placed team Rudeš finally secured their first win this season playing at home against Inter Zaprešić, Hajduk scored a last-minute winner in Koprivnica, Gorica topped Istria away, Osijek drew to Lokomotiva, and Dinamo’s ’B-team’ was better than Rijeka at Maksimir.

Without further ado, here is our Croatian First League round 24 recap.

Rudeš v. Inter Zaprešić (2:0)

Rudeš and Inter opened the 24th round at Kranjčevićeva street stadium in Zagreb on Friday, March 8, 2019, in front of 91 spectators.

While the first half went without goals, Juranović scored for Rudeš quickly into the second half, in the 46th minute for 1:0. Joao Erick scored to secure the win in the 77th for 2:0.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v=uHtC1YyxW3s

Rudeš remains in the last place with 7 points, while Inter is in 8th with 21.

Slaven Belupo v. Hajduk (1:2)

Belupo and Hajduk met on Saturday, March 9, 2019, in Koprivnica in front of 2,483 spectators.

Another first half that went without goals, it was Belupo to score first after Hajduk’s Josip Juranović was ejected from the game with a red card. Jelić scored the penalty for 1:0.

Hajduk came back to equalize in the 88th minute with a goal by Jurić, and two minutes into added time, Tudor scored the game-winner for 1:2.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v=xEKwAwFzxrI

Belupo is currently in 7th place with 22 points, while Hajduk is in 6th with 37 – though they are just one point behind both Gorica and Lokomitiva in 5th and 4th.

Istra 1961 v. Gorica (0:3)

Istra and Gorica met on Saturday, March 9, 2019, in Pula in front of 892 spectators.

Gorica scored their first goal in the 45th minute thanks to Suk. Goal number two came by Ndiaye in the 66th minute, who scored again in the 89th for 0:3.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v=RUZoojHkdZc

Istra is currently in 9th place with 17 points, while Gorica is in 5th with 38.

Osijek v. Lokomotiva (1:1)

Osijek and Lokomotiva met on Sunday, March 10, 2019, at City Garden Stadium in front of 2,098 spectators.

Lokomotiva received a penalty two minutes into the added time of the first half; Majstorović scored for 0:1. Osijek’s Marić came back to equalize in the 59th minute for 1:1.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v=-tB6RKifbAg

Osijek is currently in 4th place with 42 points while Lokomotiva is in 4th with 38.

Dinamo v. Rijeka (3:1)

Dinamo and Rijeka met on Sunday, March 10, 2019, to close out the 24th round at Maksimir stadium. Just over 6,000 fans were in attendance.

While Rijeka’s Puljić was the first to score for 0:1 lead in the 6th minute, ex-Rijeka player Gavranović equalized in the 42nd minute for 1:1.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v=7fhjzZiQ9gY

Perić scored for Dinamo in the 57th minute to put them in the lead, and Moro secured the win for the Croatian champion in the 69th minute for 3:1.

Dinamo is currently in first place with 61 points while Rijeka is in second with 44.

You can see the full table here.

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page.