The selection for favorite match on Poljud is an easy one for fans of Osijek. Osijek won only once at Hajduk’s doors, so it’s only logical to mention the legendary duel that went down on the 29th of April, 2008. Osijek was lead by Ilija Loncarevic, while Hajduk was aided by ex-national team player Robert Jarni, who was accruing his first experience as coach back then. The results showed that Osijek was better prepared and deservingly celebrated in front of a small number of spectators on Poljud. Torcida had a bad feeling that it won’t be such a pretty Split night, after all...
Osijek’s players, brave and aggressive
The home team’s play was dispersed and unfocused, with a lot of jitteriness, while Osijek kept their composure, all the while being aggressive as they closed off all paths through the defense and lurking for opportunities. Hajduk’s midfield couldn’t assert themselves, their pressure weak, the opponents took the lion’s share.
In the offensive was the eager Karlo Primorac for whom Sablic, Maloca and co. weren’t prepared. And did he use that against them, indeed. As the center-forward scored in the 27th minute, Osijek’s players grew confident, while Split’s ranks dispersed as their fens lost morale. Jarni wasn’t helped by substitutes that he did as the second half began. At minute 47, Osijek scored another one, with Primorac as the goal getter. This is how the young player became a hero in Osijek’s eyes that not even a yellow card against Ivo Smoja could bring us down, as the game drew to its closing moments.
