Glasgow Rangers is next!
After a lot of trouble in the first round, Osijek FC will play in the second qualifying round of the Europa League. After 1:1 in Chisinau last Thursday, the “white-blues” defeated Petrocub 2:1 in Osijek last night and will now play two matches against Scotland’s Glasgow Rangers.
Although Osijek was dominant and had far more scoring opportunities, they had to wait for the final whistle to be sure that their European journey would not end prematurely. Goal scorers for Osijek were Mudražija in the 15th minute and Barišić in the 61st minute. The goal for Petrocub was scored by Ambros in the 22nd minute.
Croatia is still living the World Cup dream, which was demonstrated before the match by Ivan Meštrović, the president of Osijek FC, who presented the club’s jerseys to three important team members who participated in their various roles in the Croatian national football team efforts during the World Cup in Russia and gave their contribution to the overall success. The jerseys were presented to Tomica Đukić from Osijek (number 10), a chef for the Croatian national football team, and Goran Vincek (number 32), a long-time Osijek FC equipment technician, who performed the same role for the national team.
The loudest applause marked the presentation of a jersey to Domagoj Vida. The Croatian national football team member played for Osijek as a young player and for a while was even the captain of the main team of the “white-blues.” Vida received the jersey number 19 from the club president. He did not arrive empty-handed and he presented Meštrović with his shirt from the national team (number 21).
These days, when Croatia’s team members need a well-deserved break, it is commendable that Vida came last night to the City Garden stadium where he started his senior football career and from where he entered the world of professional football. During the cheers, he pointed several times to the Kohorta fans gathered at the stadium and gestured toward his heart, showing that he still keeps the “white-blues” in his heart.
“How could I forget where I started my football journey. I am glad that the fans remember me as an Osijek player and that we have all been through these wonderful moments together,” concluded Vida.
All photos by Slobodan Kadić
