Excellent Gluić saved Zadar a point in Maksimir

Stadium Maksimir, 13.4.2012.

MAXtv Prva liga, 26. round

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

Spectators: 0

Referees: Marin Vidulin (Kanfanar), Robi Kezele (Rijeka), Diego Žudetić (Pula), Željko Frković (Gospić)

Dinamo: Kelava - Vrsaljko, Vida, Tonel, Ibanez (67. Pivarić) - Calello (46. Alispahić), Badelj - Kovačić, Sammir, Sylvestr - Beqiraj (46. Krstanović)

Zadar: Gluić - Bilavar, Kovačević, Jonjić, Šare (46. Vasilj) - Banović, Jerbić , Mršić (83. Rašo), Čurjurić, Tokić - Ivančić (73. Begonja)

Yellow cards: Tonel (35.), Calello (44.) / Bilaver (15.), Šare (16.), Ivančić (44.), Jerbić (80.), Kovačević (87.90)

Red card: Kovačević (90.)

Goals: 1:1 Krstanović (76.) / 0:1 Mršić (40.)

Zadar managed to get a point out of Maksimir. Dinamo was much better, created many chances but a great goal from Antonio Mršić and several excellent saves from Tomo Gluić earned Zadar a point. Ivan Krstanović was the scorer for Dinamo in the 76th minute but Gluić didn't allow any more goals.

Coach Ante Čačić couldn't count on the services of suspended Jerko Leko who was certainly missed in the midfield. Leko wins numerous tackles in the midfield, "nobody's balls" and helps to keep the pressure on opposition defense. Modri had a very good opening of the game, dominated and won a lot of corner kicks but Zadar's defensive line was great.

Dinamo had chances in 21st minute when Beqiraj's shot went over the goal and couple of minutes later Sammir made a great run and shot to the corner of the goal but Gluić made his first excellent save. As the time went on Zadar managed to slow down the pace and couple of minutes before half time, out of nothing, they got the lead. The ball came to Mršić who sent a brilliant 25 metres volley straight to the upper corner; fantastic volley that gave Zadar the lead.

Dinamo made two chances during half time so Krstanović and Alispahić replaced Beqiraj and Calello. Modri played much better, pushed Zadar to their own box but Gluić showed some magic. After just couple of minutes in the second half, Krstanović had an excellent chance when Sylvestr found him but Gluić was the winner of this one on one situation.

Krstanović was very active, made attempts with head and leg, but Gluić saved everything; including shot by Badelj. It was obvious that Dinamo has to score and it finally happened in 76th minute. Pivarić made a cross from the left and found Krstanović whose header hit the bar and ended in the net.

Modri pressed even harder and Zadar focused only on defense but even though it seemed like they wouldn't hold out - they managed to do that. In the last five minutes Dinamo had several great chances but Gluić was amazing. It was 86th minute when Gluić was to short but the post saved Badelj's shot and Zadar. In additional time Gluić made couple of saves. First his saved his own defender's header and minute later an excellent one from Vida.

The game ended with a draw and Zadar once again proved as a team that Dinamo always has problems with. After a loss in the first part of season in Zadar, only league loss this season, Modri once again failed to win.