Sammir for the well earned victory in Pula

Stadium Aldo Drosina, Pula, 4.8.2012.

MAXtv Prva liga, 3. round

NK Istra 1961 - GNK Dinamo  0:1 (0:1)

Spectators: 5.000

Referees: Ante Vučemilović (Osijek), Hrvoje Barišić (Osijek), Dražen Pejić (Vukovar), Damir Batinić (Osijek)

Istra: Prskalo - Budicin, Stranatić (26. Sušić), Čagalj, Milić - Blagojević, Bačelić-Grgić, Jugović (76. Sharbini), Prgomet, Križman - Roce (57. Ottochian)

Dinamo: Kelava - Vrsaljko, Vida, Šimunić, Ibanez - Ademi (55. Peko), Pokrivač - Leko, Sammir (61. Alispahić), Rukavina - Beqiraj (78. Čop)

Yellow cards: Stranatić (23.), Blagojević (25.), Čagalj (37.) / Ibanez (15.), Vida (33.), Leko (60.), Čop (90.)

Goals: 0:1 Sammir-11m (25.)

Dinamo secured a tough but very much earned victory in Pula. In a very interesting game Dinamo showed more, created better opportunities and Sammir's penalty kick goal earned Modri an away victory.

Modri came to stadium Aldo Drosina between two very important Champions league games with Sheriff and got the victory. Dinamo players showed a lot of character and will to break down a very good Istra team at their own stadium where they held an impressive streak without defeat. To be more precise, Dinamo was the last team that got three points from Pula and the end of last year.

Coach Ante Čačić decided to once again play Nikola Pokrivač in the midfield and beside him was after a long time Arijan Ademi. Even though young midfielder didn't play for the last few months, it didn't show on the pitch where these two players covered a lot of the pitch. Third defensive midfielder, Jerko Leko, is proving himself as a real all-around player because he played at right winger and did a great job; defensively and attacking too.

Pokrivač made a cross after only a couple of minutes which Vida headed over the bar and after 25 minutes Dinamo took the lead. One of the best players on the field, Fatos Beqiraj, earned a free kick on the right side, Pokrivač made a cross and Blagojević played with his hand so the referee pointed to the spot. Sammir made his run and placed the ball in the right lower corner of the net.

Istra tried to make a response through Križman but both of his attempts were nicely saved by Kelava and than - another penalty. Sammir won the ball in the midfield, made a great run before finding Rukavina on the left side who was brought down by Čagalj and it was a clear penalty. This time it was Leko who placed the ball at the spot, he chose the same side and Sammir did but Prsalo made a great save.

At the start of the second half, Dinamo had another opportunity to get the second goal. Beqiraj made a fantastic run on the right side, got to the box and found Sammir with the return ball but his shot was saved on the line by Sušić; incredible chance for Dinamo and a lot of luck for the home team. Soon after that, Beqiraj made the same thing but his cross was a bit strong for Rukavina and minute after that Beqiraj himself tried his shot but it went beside the net.

Istra had two nice chances in that period, first Sušić tried for the right side and than Bačelić-Grgić from the free kick but Kelava was excellent and he saved both attempts.

Dinamo calmly controlled the game until the end, created couple of chances but the result stayed the same like after 25 minutes. With this victory at this hard away field Dinamo players can now turn their focus to Wednesday and the Champions league match against Sheriff.