Croatia round-up: Losing start for Blazevic

Newly-appointed NK Osijek coach Miroslav Blazevic lost his first match in charge of the club on Wednesday night, 2-1 to NK Dinamo Zagreb.

First game back
The former Croatian and Iranian national team coach was only appointed on Monday and Wednesday's match was his first game back in the Prva NHL. After watching his team go down to strikes from Jasmin Agic (57) and Jerko Leko (59,) the 69-year-old approached referee Ivan Novak and allegedly insulted and pushed the official. He is now expected to face disciplinary action from the Croatian Football Federation (HNS) having been reported to the Croatian league's disciplinary commission after the match.

Touching distance
Elsewhere, leaders NK Zagreb took a massive step towards their first ever Croatian Premier League title with a 4-1 victory over NK Varteks in the top of the table clash in Varazdin. Danijel Hrman put the home side ahead after 25 minutes but it was an uphill struggle from then on as Zagreb stamped down their authority.

Hasancic double
Ivica Olic levelled the match in the 32nd minute and just two minutes later the visitors went 2-1 up when Admir Hasancic found the net. Hasancic grabbed his second of the evening after 71 minutes to give Zagreb a two-goal cushion and Ibrahim Duro hit the fourth eight minutes from time to cap a fine win which puts the capital club ten points clear at the top.

Chasing hard
Third-placed HNK Hajduk Split kept pace with the leaders after recording a 5-2 victory at bottom of the table TŠK Topolovac. Nino Bule set the visitors on their way after just five minutes and a Hrvoje Jancetic own goal ten minutes later gave Hajduk a two-goal lead which soon became three when Zvonimir Deranja struck in the 32nd minute. Further goals from Ivan Bosnjak (44) and Deranja's second of the match (60) ended the match as a contest before two consolation goals in the last ten minutes - one a penalty - from Drazen Bobinec.

Other results
Elsewhere, HNK Šibenik beat NK Papuk Kamen Ingrad Venika 1-0 courtesy of Nedo Jovic's 75th-minute strike, NK Pomorac defeated NK Cakovec 2-1, NK Marsonia fell to a 4-1 home defeat against HNK Rijeka and HNK Cibalia recorded a 2-0 home win over NK Hrvatski Dragovoljac.