COULD'VE WON IT BIGGER

NK Osijek had a sloppy finisher against Istra, despite having been more dominant and dangerous after a 2:0 lead. The enemies’ goal during the closing moments raised the uncertainty of the outcome, but the fact of the matter remains that NK Osijek earned all 3 pts. During the press conference, coach Zoran Zekic explains:

The most important thing remains that we have won after the past few matches that are now behind us. I think that we looked quite good during first half and in the continuation up until the second score, only to begin the classic “raving” on the pitch. We suffered a goal due to our crossing the ball and these kinds of plays occur to us constantly. The fact remains that we could have won more strongly, so to speak, and if we had been more precise and dexterous, we would have used our chances more productively, bringing the match to a peaceful end. Sadly, it is characteristic for us that the game just kind of devolves towards the end, so that we always have to struggle more for a win.

 

Some players are out of shape

 

Some events and players in the match ruined the coach’s satisfaction following the earned points:

I have quite a few words to say to my players in the locker room when we meet again during training. I won’t bring it up right now, but some things do make me mad and I can’t stay indifferent towards them. Some players’ behavior isn’t how it ought to be and I don’t like it to be frank, so that some tough love will need to be dispensed. Some individuals are therefore totally not on point so that we will have to work on those weak points in the next few days. I have been expecting some players to finally bring their A game for a long time now and they haven’t kept their end of the bargain yet.

 

 

Osijek deserved the win

 

Istra coach Darko Raic-Sudar said he couldn’t be dissatisfied with the loss because his players brought their A game.

 

The result is negative of course, but considering everything, Osijek was better and earned their victory. My idea wasn’t to retreat and play as defensively as in the first half, while playing more determined later, but the second score by Osijek had destroyed our plan and the result was determined on the spot. We scored one goal, admittedly, bringing the score to a 1:2 with a pinch of uncertainty and we opened up to the fullest so that the home team had more chances, but we couldn’t come back anymore. I want to congratulate Osijek and its coach Zekic for the win, for I have love for my former club even now and I want them all the best during the rest of the season.

 

Regarding Istra’s current predicament and the club logistics, Raic-Sudar answers: “The cat’s out of the bag: Istra is up for grabs. It is to our best interest that it gets done as quickly as possible because it will be bad for us if it stays unresolved. I would love us to be in a better spot results-wise, so that we may attract a potential buyer more easily, but we won’t give up. I’ve been at Istra for years and we just have no luck with the owners of the club, them being Russians, Americans at some points and with no upward movement at all. I hope that whoever new comes that he will do the club justice.