Pukštas heads Hajduk to first lead of the season
The American midfielder scored in the 15th or 16th minute at Poljud to make it 1:0 against Istra 1961, following a corner from Šimun Hrgović.
The American midfielder scored in the 15th or 16th minute at Poljud to make it 1:0 against Istra 1961, following a corner from Šimun Hrgović.
Hajduk took the lead against Istra 1961 in the second round of the SuperSport HNL at Poljud, with Rokas Pukštas finding the net. The young American midfielder reacted brilliantly in the air, heading the ball into the visitors' goal to give the 'Whites' an early advantage. The hosts thus gained the upper hand in a match where both teams are seeking their first league points of the season.
The move leading to the goal began with Hajduk pressing Istra's back line. The result was a lost ball by Daoude Doumbia, after which the home side won a corner. Šimun Hrgović delivered from the left, and Pukštas, known as one of the best headers in the team, was inexplicably left unmarked seven meters from goal. Without much trouble, he powered the ball into the net with his head.
Interestingly, sources differ on the minute of the goal. While DalmacijaDanas reports the ball hit the net in the 15th minute, Index.hr states it happened a minute later, in the 16th minute of the match.
Both teams entered the clash without any points. Hajduk lost 2:1 away to Varaždin in the first round, while Istra lost 3:2 at home to Lokomotiva. Coach Gonzalo Garcia, who was met with whistles from part of the crowd during the official announcement, while Livaja received thunderous applause, did not have injured Brajković at his disposal. This was also Hajduk's first home game after three consecutive away matches.
On the other side, Istra is led in the new season by Spanish coach Javier Cabello, who said before the trip to Poljud: "We want to win every match." Hajduk took the initiative from the start and dominated possession.
Hajduk plays the match against Istra between two legs of the third qualifying round of the Conference League against Lithuanian side Žalgiris. In the first leg in Vilnius, the 'Whites' celebrated a convincing 5:2 victory, with the return leg to follow at Poljud. Although the European adventure is a priority, securing the first league points was imperative for Garcia's team.
The main referee for the match is Mateo Erceg from Benkovac, assisted by Stipe Brajković from Šibenik, Vinko Podrug from Zagreb, and fourth official Filip Dragašević from Zagreb. VAR duties are handled by Ivan Matić from Osijek and Dario Kulušić from Šibenik. The match can be watched on MaxSport 1.
