Zadar battle back to earn victory

MAXtv 1. HNL, 11. round, Zadar, 14.10.2011.

NK Zadar - GNK Dinamo  2:1 (1:1)

Referees: Andrej Burilo (Osijek), Dalibor Conjar (Osijek), Hrvoje Menđušić (Vinkovci), Damir Batinić (Osijek)

Spectators: 5.300

Zadar: Ježina, Bilaver, Pezo, Vasilj, Kovačević (18. Sarić), Jonjić, Banović (68. Ćurjurić), Surać, Begonja, Mršić, Santini (90. Ivančić)

Dinamo: Kelava - Leko, Vida, Tonel, Cufre (60. Kovačić) - Calello, Badelj, Tomečak (46. Ibanez), Sammir - Beqiraj, Krstanović (82. Rukavina)

Yellow cards: Surać (16.), Banović (35.), Mršić (44.), Santini (56.), Bilaver (71.), Pezo (86.) / Cufre (50.), Leko  (55.)

Goals: 1:1 Begonja (39.), 2:1 Santini (56.) / 0:1 Beqiraj (15.)

In the 11. round of the MAXtv 1. HNL Dinamo suffered first league defeat. Even though Modri took the lead in Zadar, home team fought back and earned a 2:1 victory.

In the preview of Zadar - Dinamo match Modri coach Krunoslav Jurčić warned about a tough match but it didn't do any good. Dinamo players showed one of their worst performances this season and Zadar knew how to take advantage so they won valuable points.

Dinamo started the game with dominance and took control of the ball while the home side was focusing on defence and counter attacks. Even though there wasn't any real chances, Dinamo took an early lead. After just 15 minutes and a set piece situation, Tonel crossed the ball back to the Zadar box where he found unmarked Beqiraj who nicely placed the ball over Ježina and into the net.

Strangely, early lead didn't help Dinamo but on the contrary Zadar started to play more aggressive and self-confident. Santini had a chance in the 21st minute after a cross from the corner but his header wasn't good and Banović tried his shot seven minutes later. These two attempts didn't get Dinamo up and running so Zadar soon equalized.

Mršić raced through the right side of Dinamo's defense and found Begonja in the centre of the box who's first attempt is saved by Kelava but he converted the rebound; it was in the 39th minute.

In the second half coach Jurčić tried to wake the team up with substitutes but aggressive hosts just kept on coming and eventually took the lead. Santini nicely converted the free kick and the ball ended in the back of the net. When Zadar took the lead in the 56th minute - there was small "normal" football to be played.

A lot of fouls, lying on the ground and a lot of different ways to "steal" minutes and seconds. Dinamo threatened Ježina through Ibanez from free kicks and Leko in the end of the match but it was useless.

Zadar managed to keep their lead till the end and so Dinamo suffered first league defeat. Modri will now have to put their heads together and focus on the next match which is due for Tuesday against Ajax.

Foto: Dino Stanin / PIXSELL