Last weekend, all four of our youth teams competing at the national level faced their counterparts from Hajduk Split at Opus Arena. The junior team and the second cadet team secured victories, while the first cadet team and the pioneers team were left without points.
Juniors: Osijek – Hajduk 1–0
The juniors secured victory early, scoring the decisive goal in the 3rd minute through an own goal. Nikša Petrović’s side made a very good impression and deservedly earned all three points.
Lineup: Adžić, Posavec, Ljubojević, Janjić, Kalem (Vinogradac, 62’), Balić, Čočaj (Šarić, 70’), Tomašević (Tadić, 62’), Košir (Ižaković, 79’), Turić (Kolarević, 70’) and Gagulić (Marković, 62’).
Cadets: Osijek – Hajduk 2–3
The cadets were defeated in a match in which they took the lead twice. Luka Kolar scored both goals for the Blue and Whites, in the 17th and 79th minutes, but the visitors staged a comeback in the final ten minutes.
Lineup: Tolić, Rošta, Purgar, Cipar, Lipovac, Maltar (Dančević, 61’), Krasnić (Ljubanović, 86’), Stojanović (Barišić, 66’), Š. P. Jaman (Ravlić, 86’), Odobašić (Đukić, 66’) and Kolar (Crnković, 86’).
Cadets II: Osijek – Hajduk 3–1
The second cadet team continued its perfect run, recording another victory in the seventh round. Marko Tomić gave Osijek the lead in the 18th minute, before the teams went into halftime level at 1–1.
Niko Kovačić then made the difference in the second half, scoring in the 64th and 73rd minutes to secure the win. The team coached by Hrvoje Kurtović has collected the maximum number of points so far this season.
Lineup: Čekeliš, Šarčević, M. Kovačević, Dančević, Bračun, Moržan, Bubalo (Šimić, 68’), Peršić (Tadić, 86’), Tomić (Majić, 88’), Kovačić and Uhlik.
Pioneers: Osijek – Hajduk 1–4
The U15s made an excellent start to the match, with Maksym Basov finding the net in the very first minute. Hajduk equalized before halftime and then proved the stronger and more clinical side in the second half, eventually winning 4–1.
Lineup: Mokrović, Jurčević (Masnić, 46’), Međugorac, Boduljak, Major, Vukić (Perović, 61’), Đaković (Kocijan, 84’), Vladika (Lazić, 69’), Arlović (Perić, 84’), Basov (Momčilović, 69’) and Tot.
Development Remains the Priority
These matches provide a good indication of where our players stand in their development. Every victory brings satisfaction and confirms that the work being done is paying off, while every defeat offers a valuable lesson.
Nevertheless, at NK Osijek’s Football Academy, the priority remains the long-term development of players and their preparation for senior football. The ultimate goal is to see as many of them as possible represent the first team one day.
We do not disregard results, because learning how to win is also part of the process. However, we do not measure success solely by league standings, but by the progress of each individual player.
