Draw helps Hajduk revival

There were contrasting fortunes for two of Croatia's biggest clubs, NK Dinamo Zagreb and HNK Hajduk Split, before they took to the field to face each other in a local derby match at Dinamo Zagreb's Maksimir stadium.

Mixed results
Dinamo Zagreb went into the game top of the table, having won four games prior to their first defeat of the season against NK Osijek. Hajduk, meanwhile, were still recovering from their UEFA Champions League second qualifying round exit at the hands of Debreceni VSC. Four points from the previous four league games had also left coach Miroslav Blaževic facing an uncertain future.

Valuable point
However, with the help of Croatian international goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa, signed on a one-year loan from FC Shakhtar Donetsk, Blaževic's side claimed a much-needed goalless draw, with former Dinamo Zagreb player Niko Kranjčar striking the crossbar. "Dinamo didn't deserve to lose," said Blaževic. "If Kranjčar had scored from that chance, it woud not have been a fair result."

Rivals close
The draw kept Hajduk in fourth place, level with NK Zagreb and NK Kamen Ingrad while Dinamo Zagreb remain top, though their lead has been reduced from three points to one after second-placed NK Varteks won 2-1 at NK Inter Zaprešic. Varteks are proving the surprise package this season, despite losing the services of right winger Goran Mujanovic to K. Lierse SK in Belgium.

Dream debut
Third-placed HNK Rijekpa are unbeaten in four games with three wins and a draw, and lie two points off the summit. Coach Elvis Scoria made one of the most significant signings of transfer deadline day with the late purchase of former Croatian international forward Davor Vugrinec, formerly of Serie A sides US Lecce and Atalanta BC. The 30-year-old did not have to wait long for his first goals, scoring two in the 4-2 victory against NK Slaven Belupo.

Inter troubled
Inter are struggling to repeat their exceptional feats of last season, when they finished fourth. They are striving at the wrong end of the table this time round and despite acquiring experienced forward Veldin Karic, midfield player Hrvoje Strok and defender Vedran Jese, are now just one point off the relegation zone.

Sopic returns
In another significant transfer, midfield player Željko Sopic swapped German second division side LR Ahlen for a return to Zagreb after seven years. Elsewhere, Slaven Belupo have appointed former Dinamo Zagreb coach Nikola Jurcevic to succeed Branko Karacic, with the club anchored at the bottom of the table with just two points from seven games.