Croatia round-up: Unexpected joy for Cibalia
Sunday, September 1, 2002
Article summary
NK Cibalia caused a shock as they beat NK Zagreb to move to the top of the standings.
Article body
NK Cibalia created the biggest surprise of the Prva HNL season so far as they claimed the top spot after a 1-0 victory over champions NK Zagreb.
Unusual position
Cibalia, usually perenial strugglers in the top flight, have won all three away matches so far and now find themselves battling for pole position. Former Zagreb player Benedikt Panic scored a winning goal in 84th minute to take his side one point ahead NK Dinamo Zagreb.
Five-star Rijeka
NK Rijeka have also adapted to life in the first division with relative ease and continued their fine form with a 5-1 home victory against NK Sibenik. Rijeka were 4-0 ahead at the break after Sandro Klic scored twice in the first 20 minutes. Goran Vincetic, Mate Brajkovic and Natko Racki added further goals, while Danko Jovic reduced the arrears eleven minutes from time.
Away victory
Elsewhere, NK Slaven Belupo scraped a 2-1 away victory at NK Zadar, as Srebrenko Posavec hit the winning goal nine minutes from time after Velimir Brasnic (75) had equalised Dalibor Bozac's 49th-minute opener.
Osijek held
