Great game, four goals and a point each

MAXtv Prva liga, 17. round, Vinkovci, 3.12.2011.

HNK Cibalia - GNK Dinamo 2:2 (1:0)

Spectators: 4000

Referees: Domagoj Vučkov (Rijeka), Borut Križarić (Čakovec), Siniša Premužaj (Varaždin), Igor Križarić (Čakovec)

Cibalia: Vranjić - Radotić, Župarić, Lučić, Rugašević - Jurić (83. Pavličić), Mazalović (86. Ćorić), Vitaić, Bartolović, Kresinger - Koledić (74. Matoš)

Dinamo: Kelava - Vrsaljko, Vida, Cufre (80. Ademi), Ibanez - Calello, Badelj, Alispahić (46. Krstanović), Tomečak (46. Kovačić), Sammir - Rukavina

Yellow cards: Rugašević (24.), Radotić (37.), Koledić (57.), Mazalović (70.)

Goals: 1:0 Koledić (20.), 2:2 Kresinger (87.) / 1:1 Kovačić (54.), 1:2 Ibanez (75.)

Dinamo and Cibalia played a very exciting game that ended with a draw. Even though Dinamo dominated throughout the game, it was Cibalia that took the lead before half time when Koledić scored. In the second half Kovačić scored a magnificent goal and Ibanez converted a free kick for Dinamo's lead but three minutes from time Kresinger scored an equaliser.

Dinamo started the game in Vinkovci with an offensive squad that tried and succeeded to dominate from the beginning of the match. In the first 45 minutes, possession was rarely converted into chances because Cibalia defenders formed a firm block on their 30-metres line. Dinamo chances came mostly after long distance shots while Kresinger had a great chance for Cibalia after 14 minutes but his shot went beside the goal.

Five minutes later Sammir, the best player in the first half, placed a nice shot from the free kick that ended in the post and to make things worse - Cibalia took the lead from that counter attack. Vitaić made a nice run, found Koledić on the left side who's shot goes to the corner of the goal and ends behind Kelava. Goal didn't change much and Dinamo pressed even more but only managed to hit the same post after a great shot by Sammir in the 25th minute.

Coach Jurčić decided to make a couple of substitutions during half time so Alispahić and Tomečak stayed in the dressing room while Kovačić and Krstanović entered the pitch; very soon it proved to be a great move. In the 54th minute Kovačić took the ball on 40 metres from Vranjić, made a great run through several Cibalia players and placed a nice shot from the edge of the box to score an equaliser; excellent move from our talented youngster.

Minute after that Rukavina managed to escape Cibalia's defense but it was Lučić who saved his team from going one goal down but - not for long. Dinamo pressed more and more in search of the lead and it finally came in the 75th minute. Badelj earned a free kick on 23-24 metres from Vranjić and Ibanez placed a shot beside the wall and into the net.

Cibalia then went for "all or nothing" and after couple of Dinamo chances earned an equaliser in the 87th minute. Bartolović made a cross from the corner kick, Dinamo players left Kresinger alone and his header ended in the net. After the equaliser both teams had their chance of taking the win but Kelava and Vranjić saved their net to conclude the game as a tie.

The game in Vinkovci was the last of the year as far the national championship is considered while the next game, and the last of the year, is in the Champions league on Wednesday when Lyon is coming to Maksimir.