1:1 FOR THE 9TH TIME IN THE SEASON

Since season start, we stress how Osijek’s every match is a battle for points that can never be certain. It showed in Pula, where Osijek was the clear favorite due to the positions of the two teams on the ladder, Pula being in dire straits as is.

Raić-Sudar had many good players in the main team to play the last 90 minutes in the half-season, and they did play them bravely. They confirmed that names don’t matter on the pitch, not even the difference in quality, what matters is the effort, fire and passion put into the game. Osijek was lacking in these things on the Aldo Drosina to realize a bull’s eye.

Missed opportunities led to Insecurity

In the first 25 minutes, the away team had good opportunities, nevertheless, Grezda, Grgić, Marić & Hajradinović weren’t on point in situations when the score was practically secure. After unused opportunities, time was wasting, as if uncertainty had crept into the away team’s ranks, especially after having come from the break with no scores. Moments after a bad play in the backline, Malenica capitalizes and scores in the 52^nd minute. Zekic’s chosen were to lose if they didn’t turn it around and the match developed into a prophecy that the boys in yellow-and-green said before the match – they will pour every single atom of strength and grit into the match. To be honest, pressure was present, with dominance and chances by Škorić, Hajradinović, but as their coach said after match end, all of it was wispy, not efficient enough, so that Maric managed to capitalize on a bad reaction by the enemy center back, turning the match into a tie.

9 ties, same scores

This was the 9^th tie by Osijek in the championship, and what is curious is the fact that the score was 1:1 each time! The fans believed, just like the players, that a third consecutive win will be realized against Istra, but it eluded their grasp this time. It’s a pity considering that it would’ve been great if the end of the year were marked by an additional 2 points.

Not taking into account that they weren’t won, we agree with the coach’s verdict that a half-season ought not to be judged when the evidence is merely the last 90 minutes. There will be a time for analysis, with Zekic being on the case for the next few days. The players are to rest and recuperate until January 8^th 2018 when they will start preparing for the spring split of the state championship.