Šafarić: We're Going to Zagreb for Points
After a 2-0 win over Rijeka, Varaždin is perfect in the HNL, and coach Šafarić has already turned his attention to the away match against Dinamo.
After a 2-0 win over Rijeka, Varaždin is perfect in the HNL, and coach Šafarić has already turned his attention to the away match against Dinamo.
Varaždin secured their third consecutive win in the new league season, defeating Rijeka 2-0 at home. The hero of the match was Ivan Mamut, who scored both goals in the first half, earning his team a maximum of nine points and a share of the top spot with Osijek.
Mamut put the hosts ahead in the 20th minute, finishing off a nice move that started with a pass to Tavares. After a cross from Tavares, a player of Cape Verdean descent, Mamut headed the ball past Rijeka goalkeeper Todorović from five meters. Just 11 minutes later, the same player was accurate from the penalty spot after the ball struck the hand of an unwary Rukavina in the box. Incidentally, Mamut became a father earlier this week, making his night even sweeter.
Rijeka's best chance in the first half came in the 40th minute when Mamut blocked Adu-Adjei's attempt in his own six-yard box, and Janković's shot from 16 meters flew wide. In the second half, the team from Rujevica applied pressure, but Varaždin threatened through Latković, Mamut, and Mamić between the 59th and 61st minutes without changing the score. Rijeka came closest to scoring in the 66th and 74th minutes when Silić denied Janković, and Puljić's effort hit the crossbar.
After the match, Varaždin coach Šafarić congratulated Dinamo on qualifying for the Champions League but made it clear his team is not traveling to Zagreb as tourists. "I wish Dinamo all the best in the Champions League, but we're going to Zagreb for points," Šafarić said, adding, as reported by Telegram.hr, that his team will go for a positive result.
Varaždin fans showed their delight near the end of the match by chanting "Kaj im delamo!" (What are we doing to them!), and new UAE coach Zlatko Dalić was also in the stands watching it all.
While Varaždin celebrates, Dinamo will host Viking FK at Maksimir on Tuesday, August 18, at 9 PM, in a bid to reach the league phase of the Champions League. According to a post on the club's Twitter profile, the north lower, west lower, and west upper stands are already sold out, while tickets remain for the north upper stand at €12 for members and €17 for other fans. The club also announced that a portion of the match revenue will be donated to help those affected by the wildfires in the hardest-hit areas of Croatia.
In other matches of the 3rd round, Dinamo thrashed Rudeš 4-0 (Beljo 7, 60-11m, Kačavenda 39, Hoxha 63), Istra 1961 defeated Slaven Belupo 3-0 (Škafar Žužić 16, Jaganjac 35, 56), and Osijek beat Lokomotiva 1-0 with a goal from Jakupović in the 90th minute. The match between Gorica and Hajduk will be played on Sunday at 9 PM.
