Loss in the final seconds

MAXtv Prva liga, 14. round, 25.10.2015.

Stadium Rujevica, Rijeka

NK Rijeka – GNK Dinamo 2:1 (0:1)

Referees: Marko Matoc (Zaprešić), Miro Grgić (Osijek), Goran Pataki (Đakovo), Jerko Crnčić (Vrbovec), 1. DPS: Marijo Strahonja (Zaprešić), 2. DPS: Jurica Mihalj (Velika Mlaka)

Attendance: 5500

Rijeka: Vargić – Vešović, Samardžić, Mitrović, Zuta – Močinić (77. Radošević) , Maleš, Moises (65. Roshi) – Tomasov, Sharbini (90. Bradarić), Bezjak

Dinamo: Ježina – Matel, Goncalo, Taravel, Pivarić – Antolić, Machado – Pjaca (59. Soudani), Rog, Fernandes (79. Ćorić) – Henriquez (39. Musa)

Yellow cards: Samardžić (3.), Bezjak (30.), Vešović (34.), Moises (36.), Maleš (88.), Sharbini (90.+2) / Matel (32.), Antolić (41.)

Red card: Taravel (34.)

Goals: 1:1 Samardžić (50.), 2:1 Sharbini (90.+2) / 0:1 Fernandes (6.)

Dinamo played a very good derby game in Rijeka but with a man down for over an hour suffered an additional time 2:1 loss. Modri were the dominant team, had 1:0 lead and controlled the game but Taravel received an early red card and in the second half Rijeka scored two to get the win.

Modri came to Rijeka just a few days after the Champions league game against Olympiacos but with the plan to – win the game. And they've started the game in style with taking the lead after just 6 minutes. Pivarić put in a cross from the left side, Fernandes jumped and headed the ball in the net for a perfect start.

Dinamo was the dominant side, Modri controlled the pace of the game and all Rijeka was left to do was – fight. Home players did numerous hard tackles so on more than one occasion game looked like "ultimate fight" battle. The final result was six yellow cards and a red one in the first half. Unfortunately, the red one was for Dinamo and it had enormous effect on the game and result.

In the 34th minute Vešović made a terrible tackle on Machado and received a yellow card but Taravel was frustrated with their style of play, kicked him in the head and was sent off. Modri made a change and Musa entered the game instead of Henriquez so Modri managed until the break. In the second half with an extra man Rijeka had more possession but no real chances despite Samardžić scored the equaliser after a corner in the 50th minute.

In fact Soudani had several nice attempts from counter attacks, Rog also but there was no goals; until additional time. When it looked like the game will end with a draw in the 92nd minute cross came in the box from the right side, Ježina managed to block it but only for the ball to go to Sharbini who scored for the win and big celebration.

With this loss Dinamo ended their fantastic 50 league games without a loss streak but that is football. Modri are now the third placed team with 2 points behind Hajduk and 1 behind second placed Rijeka.