Croatia round-up: Dinamo derby delight

NK Dinamo Zagreb picked up where they left off before the Croatian First League winter break with a 3-1 win at defending champions NK Zagreb.

Late clincher
Zagreb, who ended the first part of the season in seventh, took the lead against the table-toppers on three minutes through Radomir Djalović, and continued to dominate in muddy conditions. But they could not increase their lead, and Silvio Marić equalised on 21 minutes, and not long afterwards Daniel Kovačević brought down Marić in the area, earning a red card on conceding a penalty, missed by Dario Smoje. However, Smoje made up for that by putting Dinamo ahead in the 56th minute, and Dalibor Poldrugac ensured the leaders remained four points clear with an added-time clincher.

Hajduk in touch
HNK Hajduk Split ended the weekend still in second after a Sunday victory against NK Slaven Belupo. Hajduk’s Milan Rapaić put his side ahead two minutes before the break and Almir Turković doubled the lead in the first minute of the second half.

Varteks victory
Third-placed NK Varteks remained on Dinamo’s tail by beating HNK Cibalia 3-0. Daniel Hrman and Sead Halilović put Varteks 2-0 up by the 20-minute mark, and early in the second half, Frane Petričević scored the third.
 
Rijeka return to form
HNK Rijeka lost their last nine games before the winter break, but they returned refreshed under new coach Mladen Mladenović to beat NK Kamen Ingrad Velika 2-1. Martin Šarić put Rijeka ahead on 52 minutes, and Sandro Klic doubled the lead in the 64th minute. Zoran Zekić scored an added-time consolation.

Pomorac off bottom
Elsewhere, NK Pomorac moved off the foot of the table with a 3-2 victory at NK Zadarkomerc, substitute Ivica Karabogdan scoring the winner, with HNK Šibenik taking over at the bottom following a 1-0 defeat at fellow-strugglers NK Osijek.