10-man Dinamo wins in "hot" Zadar

Stadium Stanovi, Zadar, 18.8.2012.

MAXtv Prva liga 5. round

NK Zadar - GNK Dinamo 1:3 (0:1)

Spectators: 3.300

Referees: Ivan Bebek (Rijeka), Dalibor Conjar (Osijek), Robi Kezele (Rijeka), Domagoj Vučkov (Rijeka)

Zadar: Gluić - Bilaver, Jerbić, Prahić, Bilen (77. Čurjurić), Vasilj - Banović, Begonja, Tokić (46. Župan) - Jolić, Mršić (60. Ivančić)

Dinamo: Kelava - Vida, Tonel, Šimunić, Pivarić - Ademi, Leko - Peko, Sammir, Rukavina (46. Beqiraj) - Čop (60. Pokrivač)

Yellow cards: Vasilj (29.), Prahić (47.) / Peko (10., 43), Šimunić (50.)

Red card: Peko (43.)

Goals: 1:2 Ivančić (82.) / 0:1 Čop (28.), 0:2 Sammir (73.), 1:3 Sammir-11m (88.)

In a very interesting game, after four years without victory at Stanovi Dinamo finally earned three points in Zadar. Modri played an excellent 45 minutes, got the lead through Duje Čop and  then Ivan Peko received his second booking to make things harder for Dinamo. Despite being man down, Dinamo continued to push and two goals from Sammir earned Dinamo fourth league victory and the top spot.

From the very start of the game in Zadar Dinamo played - like a champion. With Leko and Ademi as defensive midfielders and Peko, Sammir and Rukavina as creators of play, Dinamo controlled the pace of the game, completely dominated with possession and created chances. First one came after 7 minutes when Rukavina tried his shot after a set piece situation but Gluić made his first nice save.

Dinamo circled the ball on 30 metres from Gluić and it was only a matter of time when will Modri "break" Zadar's defensive line. Next great chance came in 22nd minute of the game when Sammir's fine pass found Čop, he tried his left-footed shot from 10 metres but Gluić stopped this too. Finally, after 28 minutes Dinamo got in front.

Sammir made a run on the right flank, crossed to the box where Čop got the ball on his chest and volleyed it to the upper corner; excellent move for a great goal and the deserved lead. Dinamo didn't stop after scoring and soon after that Čop had another chance but his shot went close to the post. Two minutes from halftime, Peko made a tackle 30 metres from Kelava which referee Bebek saw as a foul that earned him his second booking.

Of course, with a man extra Zadar started very offensively in the second half while Dinamo focused on counter attacks. Home team had control of the game and the closest they got to the equaliser was when Jolić hit the post with his header. On the other side, coach Čačić put Nikola Pokrivač after one hour of play to strengthen the midfield.

In the 73rd minute the game was suspended for 15 minutes. Reason? Flares that flew to the pitch from the stands where Dinamo "fans" were situated. Referee suspended the game and sent both teams to the dressing room so the game stopped for 15 minutes.

After the break, Dinamo reacted excellent and extended the lead. Pivarić found Pokrivač who made an excellent run on the left side and his back pass came to Sammir who nicely placed it in the net; it was in the 73rd minute. Even though it seemed the game was over, Zadar got one back when Josip Ivančić managed to score after a set piece situation eight minutes from the end.

Despite man down, Dinamo once again scored and ended the game. It was Domagoj Vida who earned the ball but his shot was saved by Gluić only to Vida to earn the ball once again, Vasilj tackled him from behind and it was a penalty. Sammir was calm from the spot and scored his second and Dinamo's third goal of the game.

With this victory Dinamo is at the top of the table and Modri now turn their focus to Wednesday and the Champions league play-off match against Maribor.