Dinamo "frozen" in Gradski vrt, Osijek beat the champions

MAXtv Prva liga, 19. round

Gradski vrt, Osijek, 10.2.2013.

NK Osijek - GNK Dinamo 2:1 (1:0)

Referees: Bruno Marić (Daruvar), Dražen Fejer (Bjelovar), Jerko Crnčić (Vrbovec), Zlatko Šimčić (Koprivnica)

Spectators: 2.000

Osijek: Mikulić - Ibriks, Vrgoč, Smoje, Lešković - Pušić, Kurtović, Mišić, Kvržić (od 90. Leko) - Pongračić, Perošević (od 90. Mandić)

Dinamo: Kelava -Vrsaljko, Jedvaj, Šimunić, Ibanez - Ademi - Tomečak (od 59. Krstanović), Brozović, Sammir, Čop (od 87. Leko) - Beqiraj (od 77. Rukavina)

Yellow cards: Kurtović (28.) / Šimunić (36.), Krstanović (72.)

Goals: 1:0 Vrgoč (14.), 2:1 Pušić (83.) / 1:1 Ademi (79.)

Dinamo lost the game in Osijek!  In real winter terms, strong cold and light snow, Osijek defended entire game and converted on their few chances to get the 2:1 win. Home team got in front when Branko Vrgoč scored a header after a corner kick early in the game and when Modri finally, in the 79th minute, got the well deserved equalizer through Arijan Ademi - Osijek scored from a counter attack.

Dinamo opened official 2013. in Gradski vrt where they had to play the delayed league match against Osijek. Coach Jurčić started the game with similar team that played in preseason with 17-year old youngster Tin Jedvaj at centre back with captain Josip Šimunić beside him.

Modri controlled the game in Osijek from the start but it was obvious that it will be tough. Osijek players were in their own 30 metres, defending and waiting for their chances from set pieces and counter attacks. Unfortunately, the first one ended with Osijek being in front. It was in the 14th minute of the game when Perošević put in a cross from the corner, Vrgoč's first attempt was nicely saved by Kelava but the same player was there on the rebound and Osijek took the lead.

After taking the lead Osijek defended even harder and due to bad pitch conditions it was hard to get through; specially with the passing kind of play Dinamo prefers. Modri had several attempts made by Tomečak, Čop which most came from Vrsaljko's crosses but young Mikulić was very secure. At the start of the second half, Dinamo pressed even more, Osijek players were all in their own box but the ball was somehow always cleared.

When Mikulić made a brilliant save to stop sub Krstanović attempt in the 63rd minute it seemed like Dinamo will never score but that finally changed in the 79th minute. Sammir put in a cross from the corner, a lot of players were in the box and eventually Ademi scored from close distance. Modri pushed harder to get the winner too but couple of minutes later - Osijek got the winner. Dinamo focused on attack and scoring the second goal when Osijek launched a counter, Pongračić and Pušić played a brilliant one-two and Pušić scored the winner.

Dinamo had several chances to get another equalizer but Mikulić was great and saved everything. Defending champions started new year with an unexpected loss but the second chance for a better start in next Sunday when Rijeka comes to Maksimir.