Pletikosa top of the pile

HNK Hajduk Split goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa has been named Croatia's player of the year by the leading daily Vecernji List.

'Good and a bad year'
The 23-year-old keeper comfortably beat last year's winner Igor Tudor of Juventus FC, and was delighted to receive the award. "This has been both a good and a bad year because I see myself as part of the team and I regret that we did so poorly at the [FIFA] World Cup finals, although my goalkeeping was very good," he said. 

Goalscoring keeper
Pletikosa made his debut for Hajduk in 1996/97 and has made over 120 appearances for the Croatian First Division side, scoring four goals in the process. He scored twice in Hajduk's UEFA Cup run this season, converting from the penalty spot in both legs against GÍ Gøtu of the Faroe Islands.