Hajduk's Juniors Return to Ramljak Tournament
After 13 years away, Hajduk's juniors returned to the Mladen Ramljak tournament and defeated Bologna 2:0 in the opening round. Mateo Juričić and Lovro Maglica scored for the Whites.
After 13 years away, Hajduk's juniors returned to the Mladen Ramljak tournament and defeated Bologna 2:0 in the opening round. Mateo Juričić and Lovro Maglica scored for the Whites.
Hajduk's juniors returned to the legendary tournament dedicated to Mladen Ramljak after a full 13-year absence and immediately secured a notable victory. In the first round of the competition, the team led by coach Hari Vukas defeated Italian side Bologna with a convincing 2:0 scoreline.
The match was played in two halves of 40 minutes each, and Hajduk imposed their rhythm from the very start. Bruno Mišura was particularly lively, firing four shots at Bologna's goalkeeper Capri in the first 20 minutes. On the other side, the Italians threatened only once, through Passanisi, who had another dangerous effort in the 27th minute, but Hajduk's defense dealt with it successfully.
Despite the Whites' territorial dominance, the first half ended goalless. Hajduk were physically superior, but that advantage can partly be explained by the fact that Bologna fielded a significantly younger squad, including players born in 2011.
In the second half, coach Vukas made numerous substitutions, and the key moment came in the 5th minute of the second half. Hajduk's Bistre dispossessed a careless Bologna defender, who then pulled him back as the last man and was shown a straight red card.
With the man advantage, Hajduk didn't have to wait long for the goal. In the 49th minute, Mateo Juričić weaved through the defense with a brilliant solo run and sent an unstoppable shot with the outside of his boot into the net to give the Whites the lead. Bokan and Bralić had further chances before the end, but they were off target. Bologna, with a man down, failed to seriously threaten Hajduk's goal, and Lovro Maglica sealed the 2:0 win with a spectacular goal in the dying moments.
Hajduk's starting lineup featured Pocrnjić, Nachbar, Sablić, Čupić, Papić, Vojvodić, Kutia, Bokan, Juričić, Ruso, and Mišura. For the club, this appearance at the tournament is also seen as an important preparation for the future, as most of these players will soon feature for Hajduk B and then senior football. In the second round, Hajduk will face Dutch side Ajax.
