Dinamo through to the play-off round!

Maksimir, Zagreb, 3.8.2011.

3. UEFA Champions league qualifying round, second leg

GNK Dinamo - HJK Helsinki 1:0 (0:0)

Referees: Jakobsson (ISL), S. Gunnarsson (ISL), V. Gunnarsson (ISL)

Spectators: 30 000

Dinamo: Kelava - Vrsaljko, Tonel, Vida, Ibanez - Leko, Badelj, Alispahić (19. Kovačić), Sammir  - Krstanović (55. Rukavina), Beqiraj (83. Cufre)

HJK: Wallen - Rafinha, Lindstrom, Ojala, Sumusalo - Riihilahti (62. Mannstrom), Zenelli (57. Sorsa), Ring, Bah - Sadik, Pukki (75. Pelnas)

Yellow cards: Alispahić (16.) / Ring (20.), Riihilahti (50.), Lindstrom (84.)

Goal: 1:0 Ibanez (90.)

Dinamo will play in the UEFA Champions league play-off round! Thanks to the late goal from Luis Ibanez Modri once again got the victory over HJK and with 3:1 win on aggregate.

The Croatian champions dominated over two legs against HJK Helsinki and fully deserved their win. Even though HJK was a goal behind and had to score in Maksimir, Dinamo was the team who took control of the game and had most of possession so as the chances. Modri created several chances in the first half an hour but Wallen had a great night.

Badelj was the first one to try his shoot after just 2 minutes and after the captains attempt - Krstanović, Tonel and Sammir all tried to score but guests goalkeeper saved everything. Unfortunately, not everything was great and in the 16. minute Alispahić stayed on the ground after a tackle and he broke his hand. Attacking midfielder was operated after the game and his recovery will take few months.

His injury disturbed hosts game and even though his substitute Kovačić had a nice game, it took Dinamo some time to get back on the right track. When it seemed like HJK is starting to open up - Beqiraj had a great chance. It was a brilliant action by Modri that started from Kovačić, went through Sammir and his excellent ball towards Vrsaljko who found Beqiraj but Wallen made a miracle save and together with the post - saved his net.

HJK's only attempts in the first half were the ones in the last five minutes but Kelava didn't have much trouble after Sadik's shot. In the other half Dinamo slowed down the tempo of the game and fully controlled the events on the pitch. Of course, due to negative result - HJK had to open and Modri had several chances but spectators had to wait till additional time to see the goal.

Wallen made a couple of great saves in the second half but even he was unable to stop Ibanez in the first minute of additional time. Sammir had a great run but even though his attempt was saved, the ball came to Ibanez who's nice shot from the left wing finished in the back of the net.

Dinamo fully deserved the victory and Modri will play in the play-off round; last round before group stage. The draw of the play-off round is due at noon on Friday.