Hajduk denied victory in the 95th minute
Istra 1961 earned a 2-2 draw with a goal from Dukan Ahmeti in the fifth minute of stoppage time, dealing a heavy blow to Hajduk in their season opener at Poljud.
Istra 1961 earned a 2-2 draw with a goal from Dukan Ahmeti in the fifth minute of stoppage time, dealing a heavy blow to Hajduk in their season opener at Poljud.
Hajduk's players experienced a real shock at Poljud on Sunday evening. In the 2nd round of the SuperSport HNL against Istra 1961, the Split side conceded a goal in the 95th minute for a final score of 2-2, thus missing out on victory practically in the visitors' last attack.
Hajduk started the match well and took the lead in the 15th minute. After a corner kick from Šimun Hrgović, Rokas Pukštas was left completely unmarked in the heart of the penalty area and headed past goalkeeper Frank Kolić. The hosts continued to threaten from set pieces, but Istra defended well and equalized in the same fashion. In the 42nd minute, Emil Frederiksen took a free kick from about 25 meters, and the ball went through the wall and into the net behind a surprised Toni Silić.
The second half saw fewer excitements until the 84th minute, when Marko Livaja, who had come on in the 56th minute, put Hajduk back in front. The captain reacted smartly to a rebound after Kolić's save and from the edge of the six-yard box slotted it home for his 104th goal for the Split club. Poljud erupted, and it seemed that the three points were secured.
However, referee Mateo Erceg from Benkovac added time, and Istra punished the hosts' lackluster defense in the fifth minute of stoppage time. The move started with a visiting player who entered the box and, while falling, surrounded by several Hajduk defenders, managed to pass the ball to a completely unmarked Dukan Ahmeti. The Istra midfielder found himself alone about five meters out and calmly scored for the final 2-2. It is worth noting that sources differ on the identity of the assister; Prigorski cites Hamza Jaganjac, while Tportal mentions Halil Jaganjac.
With this draw, Hajduk and Istra 1961 earned their first points of the season and sit in sixth and seventh place with one point each. At the top, with six points each, are Osijek, Varaždin, and Lokomotiva. Varaždin earlier on Sunday routed Slaven Belupo in Koprivnica 4-1, while on Saturday Osijek thrashed Rudeš 6-1 and Lokomotiva beat Gorica 3-1. The match between Rijeka and Dinamo was postponed.
