Late Krstanović goal for a deserved victory

Atlantic Cup, Algarve, Portugal, 1.2.2012.

GNK Dinamo - Helsingborgs IF  1:0 (0:0)

Spectators: 100

Dinamo: Kelava - Vrsaljko (79. Bišćan), Vida, Šimunić (46. Tonel), Pivarić (79. Pokrivač) - Leko (62. Calello), Badelj - Tomečak (62. Ibanez), Alispahić (46. Kovačić), Sylvestr - Beqiraj (62. Krstanović)

Odense: Hanson - Krafth, Hanstveit, Sadiku, Uronen - Nordmark, Mahlangu, Bergholtz, Andersson - Sorum, Martinez (46. Ramadan)

Yellow cards: Vida (34.), Leko (42.)

Goal: 1:0 Krstanović (89.)

Dinamo played another great game at Atlantic Cup, made and missed several great chances before Ivan Krstanović finally scored one minute before the end of the game.

Coach Ante Čačić made some changes to the team that played the first game; Šimunić and Pivarić played in defense, Leko in midfield, Alispahić as playmaker and Beqiraj in attack. Similar to the display in the first game, Dinamo dominated the game and created chances from the beginning. Modri did not create as many chances as against Odense but credit for that must go to the Swedish champions.

Actually, it was Dinamo display against Odense that pretty much determined the way Helsingborg entered the second round match against Dinamo. Swedish team watched the first Dinamo game on the tournament and saw what happens when the opponent plays offensive like Odense. On the other hand, maybe it's better for Dinamo to play against opponents that focus their play on defense and counter attack because that the way most teams in Croatia play against the best team in the country.

Anyway, to get back to the game. After just 2 minutes Beqiraj's header threatened Hanson but he saved our strikers attempt. As usual, Dinamo dominated the game, attacked over wingers with the help from Vrsaljko and Pivarić. One of the best players against Odense, Tomečak, had couple of nice runs against Swedish side too but his attempts couldn't find a teammate. In fact, Tomečak himself had a chance to score in the 26th minute after a nice pass by Alispahić.

These two players changed roles couple minutes from the end of the first half but Alispahić couldn't score either. Coach Čačić made a couple of subs during halftime so Tonel and Kovačić entered the pitch and Dinamo played even faster and better. Once again great Badelj made two nice chances for Sylvestr but Slovakian winger wasn't in a mood from the last game.

Dinamo pressed more and more, Sylvestr, Beqiraj, Ibanez and many other had their chances but it all went beside the goal or Hanson saved it. When it seemed like the game would end with a draw - Dinamo finally took the lead. In the 89th minute Pokrivač's great cross found Krstanović who managed to put the ball in the net.

That way Dinamo came to the fully deserved second victory on the Atlantic Cup and with six points hold the lead.