Attacking duo brings victory in Pula

MAXtv Prva liga 13. round, Pula, 29.10.2011.

Stadium Aldo Drosina

NK Istra 1961 - GNK Dinamo 0:2 (0:1)

Referees: Vlado Svilokos (Sisak), Goran Dević (Koprivnica), Zdenko Mergeduš (Nova Gradiška), Zlatko Šimčić (Koprivnica)

Spectators: 4000

NK Istra 1961: Mance - Budicin, Stranatić (72. Batelić), Sušić, Milić - Karabatić, Prahić, Alimi, Belle (79. Mijaljević), Špičić (64. Primorac) - Jazvić

GNK Dinamo: Kelava - Cufre, Vida, Šimunić, Ibanez - Leko, Badelj, Kovačić (72. Pokrivač), Sammir (80. Ademi) - Beqiraj, Krstanović (87. Šitum)

Yellow cards: Belle (45.), Budicin (87.) / Badelj (45.), Krstanović (74.)

Goals: 0:1 Beqiraj (45.), 0:2 Krstanović (73.)

In Pula Dinamo secured 11th league victory this season. Modri played a good game, dominated the whole time and thanks to goals from Fatos Beqiraj and Ivan Krstanović managed to get three points  just a couple of days ahead of the Champions league match.

Before the league game in Pula coach Jurčić said that Dinamo is coming here to win; not to rest players for the Champions league match or anything like that and when the game started it was more than obvious that this was true.

With Sammir, finally healthy Badelj and recovered Kovačić Dinamo dominated the game from its beginning and early on created several chances but goalkeeper Mance had a great day. As the game went on Dinamo's pressure was stronger but after dangerous situations in front of Mance - Istra had a great one. It was in the 37th minute when Belle escaped Dinamo's defense and gave the ball to Jazvić but Kelava went of his goal and stopped the home striker. In the same minute Dinamo had a great chance on the counter attack but Beqiraj was once again off.

In the last couple of minutes Dinamo created three chances and it finally paid of in additional time. Sammir made a cross from the corner, Šimunić's header was going towards the goal and on its way found Beqiraj who's clever finish brought Dinamo the lead.

In the second half we saw pretty much the same game but this time - Istra didn't have its one chance to make things complicated. Dinamo threatened through Kovačić in the 50th minute and Krstanović ten minutes later but there was no goal until the 73rd minute.

Sammir did most of the job, won the ball in the centre of the pitch and got past couple of Istra players before brilliantly passing the ball to Krstanović. The striker was concentrated, went round Mance and placed the ball into the net to make it 2:0. Off course, it was basically game over in Pula and Dinamo calmly controlled the pace of the game till the final whistle.

The display and victory in Pula will give the team more confidence ahead of the Champions league match against Ajax which is scheduled for Wednesday.