Dinamo through to the Croatian cup semi-final

Maksimir, Zagreb, 7.3.2012.

Quarter-final of the Croatian cup, second leg

Istra 1961 - GNK Dinamo 4:5 (1:1) (0:1)

Spectators: 2000

Referees: Vlado Svilokos (Sisak), Hrvoje Menđušić (Vinkovci), Goran Pataki (čakovo), Danijel Trampus (Osijek)

Istra: Prskalo - Sušić, Stranatić, Marić, Milić - Batarelo, Anđelković - Pamić (66. Bačelić - Grgić), Belle (78. Primorac), Križman - Roce (72. Ottochian)

Dinamo: Kelava - Vrsaljko, Tonel, Vida, Pivarić - Leko, Badelj - Alispahić, Kovačić (85. Krstanović), Rukavina (63. Sylvestr) - Beqiraj (73. Sammir)

Yellow cards: Roce (83.), Batarelo (87.) / Sylvestr (84.)

Goals: 0:1 Alispahić (28.)/ 1:1 Pivarić-ag (83.) 

Dinamo won against Istra 1961 in the quarter-final of the Croatian cup. Istra and Dinamo tied 1:1 in the first match and after the second leg ended with the same score penalties decided the semifinalist. Mehmed Alispahić scored for 1:0, but in the second half Istra equalized. The regular part of the match was followed by penalties and where luck and concentration were on Dinamo's side and the final score was 5:4.

Dinamo played hard from the very first minute; it was important to win in order to go to the semi-final because Dinamo is the defending champion. With Dinamo's captain Milan Badelj, Dinamo played faster and with more good passing. Jerko Leko played behind the captain and the major trio were Kovačić, Alispahić and Rukavina. In a collaboration with young Pivarić, Kovačić also made a lot of problems for Istra's defense. Danger for Istra was also coming from the right side from Rukavina and Vrsaljko.

Dinamo dominated and had several great opportunities. The first serious chance was made by duo Pivarić - Beqiraj. Dinamo players were focused on the game and played quickly; they had few good shots and Dinamo took the lead in the 28th minute. Mehmed Alispahić got the ball 20 meters from the rival's goal, he shot and after hitting one of the opponent players, the ball ended in Istra's net. It was very important for Dinamo to score in the early stage of the game. Players continued to play offensively, but they didn't succeed in achieving any more goals. 

Istra decided to intensify their offensive line and they started to go ahead. Coach Ante Čačić decided to change some things in the player formation so he put in the game Krstanović, Sylvestr and Sammir. Although Dinamo had few chances in the second half, Istra scored an equaliser in the 83rd minute. Križman sneaked behind Dinamo's defensive line but Kelava successfully saved his net. Unfortunately, the ball returned in the game and Primorac shot straight to Kelava. Instead of striking the ball out of the field, Pivarić directed the ball right into the net. 

Dinamo failed to score till the end of the game and the match was decided by the penalty kicks. At the moment when the result was 4:4, Leko scored for Dinamo and Križman missed the shot. The final result was 5:4 for Dinamo and Čačić's team placed in the semi-final of the Croatian cup.