The 8th round of the Croatian First League took place from September 21 to 23, 2018.
September 24, 2018 – Here we are, eight rounds into the always exciting Croatian First League – and the last round was perhaps the most exciting yet. Namely, upsets for Rijeka and Osijek kept the race for the top five closer than ever, and red cards were distributed to five clubs over the weekend to make it the most punishing weekend of the new season.
Without further ado, here’s a look at what went down in the 8th round of the Croatian First League.
Slaven Belupo v. Rudeš (1:1)
Slaven Belupo and Rudeš kicked off the 8th round on Friday, September 21, 2018, in Koprivnica.
In front of just over 800 spectators, the first half between the two clubs went without goals – though there was a red card given to Rudeš’s Oluić in the 31st minute and a missed penalty by Bačelić-Grgić in the 32nd.
Belupo was the first to score with a goal by Jelić in the 55th minute, which was followed by a Rudeš goal by Vojković in the 84th. Belupo’s Musa also received a double yellow in the 82nd minute.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v=NcqQGs3Pc3A
Belupo is currently in 7th place with 8 points, while Rudeš is in the last place with 2.
Osijek v. Gorica (0:1)
Osijek and Gorica met at City Garden Stadium on Saturday, September 22, 2018.
A rather quiet first half that went without goals was picked up in the second with a stunning goal by Gorica’s Zwolinski in the 57th minute. Osijek was unable to come back to equalize in front of almost 2,500 fans, and the game ended 0:1 for the away club.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v=rVivPc2hfW0
Osijek is currently in 3rd place with 14 points, while Gorica is in 5th with 13.
Lokomotiva v. Rijeka (2:0)
Lokomotiva and Rijeka met at a brand new Kranjčevićeva Stadium on Saturday, September 22, 2018, in front of over 1,200 fans.
Lokomotiva took the lead already in the 26th minute with a goal by Datković, making the game 1:0 for the hosts at the half. At the start of the second half, Rijeka’s Punčec was given a red card, and Lokomotiva missed a penalty in the 54th minute. That didn’t matter too much, however, as Kastrati was able to come back to give Lokomotiva a 2:0 lead in the 71st minute and the win.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v=reJCoHayO0s
Lokomotiva is currently in 2nd place with 16 points, while Rijeka is in 4th with 13.
Dinamo v. Inter Zaprešić (5:3)
Dinamo and Inter met for perhaps the most exciting game of the 8th round at Maksimir on Sunday, September 23, 2018.
Dinamo kicked off the scoring spree in the 14th minute when Lešković found the back of the net. Still 1:0 for the Croatian Champions at the half, Inter came back to equalize in the 53rd with a goal by Ajayi, followed by a goal by Andrić in the 55th for 1:2.
Inter’s Haramustek received a red card in the 57th minute, which gave Dinamo a penalty in the 58th to equalize for 2:2. But the scoring didn’t end there.
An own goal by Sunjić put Inter back in the lead in the 69th minute for 2:3, though Dinamo came back in the 71st for 3:3 with a goal by Petković. Petković scored again for Dinamo in the 83rd for 4:3, and Kadzior sealed the deal for Dinamo in the 94th for 5:3.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v=6xK870P1ahE
Dinamo is currently in 1st place with 20 points, while Inter is in 8th place with 7 points.
Istra 1961 v. Hajduk (2:4)
Istra and Hajduk completed the 8th round of the Croatian First League on Sunday, September 23, 2018, in Pula.
Hajduk opened up the scoring in the first half with two goals by Gyurcso in the 21st and 25th minute. Ivanovski then added to Hajduk’s lead with a goal in the 36th minute for 0:3. Istra’s Rodriguez did come back for the home team with a goal in the 40th for 1:3 at the half.
Istra scored again in the 52nd minute for 2:3, though Ivanovski came back in the 65th minute for 2:4. Istra received a red card in the 93rd minute, and Hajduk’s Caktaš missed a penalty.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v=O73_0ilEslY
Istra is currently in 9th place with 5 points, while Hajduk is in 6th with 10.
