Blaževic makes his mark

By Elvir Islamovic

Miroslav Blaževic began his reign as coach of HNK Hajduk Split by guiding his new side to the Croatian Super Cup with a 1-0 extra-time victory against HNK Rijeka.

Woodwork struck
Rijeka, who won the Croatian Cup last season, finished nine points below champions Hajduk in the Croatian First League standings - but nothing could separate the sides over 90 minutes. Hajduk, who face Debreceni VSC in the UEFA Champions League second qualifying round in ten days' time, twice hit the woodwork but the game was still goalless at the end of normal time.

'Attacking tactics'
The game's only goal came 13 minutes into extra time when Croatian international Niko Kranjcar bent a free-kick from the left inside the near post of Velimir Radman's goal. According to Blaževic, it was just reward for his side's positive display. "No one before me has ever played with such attacking tactics at Hajduk Split," he said. "I am a better coach than José Mourinho."