Frederiksen Ahead of Poljud: I Have a Good Feeling
Istra 1961 visits Hajduk on Sunday, and Dane Emil Frederiksen believes his young squad can repeat January's success and surprise the favorites at a packed Poljud.
Istra 1961 visits Hajduk on Sunday, and Dane Emil Frederiksen believes his young squad can repeat January's success and surprise the favorites at a packed Poljud.
Istra 1961's footballers open their new away match against Hajduk at Poljud on Sunday evening, and ahead of the clash, Danish midfielder Emil Frederiksen does not hide his optimism. After the defeat to Lokomotiva in the season opener, the Pula side are looking for their first points, and Frederiksen says the atmosphere in the squad is excellent.
"We had a good week of preparations, everyone is ready, and we have good energy. We have respect for the opponent, we know their qualities, and we know they are a good team; we need to be aware of that, which is why we prepared very well all week. On Sunday, we'll see how ready we are, but I feel good, and I believe a successful weekend lies ahead of us," Frederiksen told Slobodna Dalmacija.
Frederiksen, who will turn 26 on September 5, found himself in an unusual role as the oldest player in the starting lineup against Lokomotiva. "It was the first time I was the oldest in the team that took the field, but it's not a problem for me, nor do I feel as old as the numbers might suggest," Frederiksen said for Glas Istre.
In that match, there was also an awkward situation when a goal by Škafaru Žužiću was disallowed, and the Dane took responsibility. "I made a mistake by being in front of the opponent's goalkeeper at that moment and getting in the line of the shot, so Škafaru Žužiću's goal was disallowed, but I'm sure he'll score at the first opportunity," Frederiksen stated for Glas Istre.
Although there are only two older teammates in the Pula dressing room, Silvijo Goričan and Advan Kadušić, the Dane has no doubt that the young players will cope in front of a packed stadium.
"We won't be impressed by the atmosphere that awaits us in Split; on the contrary, it will be a great opportunity to show how good our young team really is."
He added that he believes in the mental strength of his teammates: "The young players will certainly be excited about running out in front of so many people, but they are all strong-minded, and I believe it won't affect them."
Frederiksen made his debut for Istra exactly at Poljud on August 3, 2025, when Hajduk celebrated 2:1 in front of 25,501 spectators. However, in the second attempt, on January 25, 2026, the Pula side repaid in kind and won 2:1, with the Dane scoring the second goal.
"I remember that match; we played very well and could have won even more convincingly if we had converted some other chances we created. In the end, we even scored an own goal, but we held on to the lead and got a victory that, based on everything shown, we deserved," Frederiksen recalled for Glas Istre.
Istra coach Javier Cabello is aware of the opponent's strength but also of his own team's capabilities. "Hajduk is one of the best teams in the league; they have very good players and coaches, they play in Europe, and that says a lot. It will be a challenging match for us because they play on their home turf in front of their crowd," Cabello said for Slobodna Dalmacija.
He also emphasized that all players are available: "I expect Hajduk to be at a high level, so we also need to be at 100% if we want to compete and win the match. All our players are available and training."
In the next 20 days, Istra 1961 faces matches against Hajduk, Rijeka, and Dinamo, with a home clash against Slaven Belupo between the away trips to Poljud and Rujevica. Frederiksen, who played 33 league matches and scored four goals last season, and has opened the new season with two goals, is not burdened by the tough schedule.
"It will be tough, but every match in this league is tough if you don't go into it 100 percent. With a weaker approach, we can lose to anyone, but if we are at our best, we can compete with anyone and have the right to hope for points against every team," the Dane concluded for Glas Istre. The match between Hajduk and Istra 1961 at Poljud kicks off on Sunday at 9 PM.
