The last quarter-finalists of the Croatian Cup are the football players of Varaždin, who were better than Osijek at home, with a total score of 5-3 after penalty kicks.
The 90-minute contest in Varaždin ended with 1-1. The visitors took the lead with a goal by Arnel Jakupović in the 38th minute, while Tomislav Duvnjak equalized in the 58th minute. The nets were stationary during extra time, so the winner was decided by penalty kicks.
In the shootout, all Varaždin players were precise and calm. They guessed Mamut, Vuk, Mamić and Puclin. At Osijek, Cvijanović and Matković were accurate, but Čolina missed the goal, while Jugović’s shot was saved by Varaždin goalkeeper Silić.
On Wednesday, Rijeka’s football players, the defending champions, won the quarter-finals of the Cup, defeating Mladost Ždralovi 4-1 away from home.
Earlier, they won the quarter-finals of the Cup Gorica, Slaven Belupo, Hajduk, Lokomotiva, Kurilovec and Dinamo. Gorica beat Rudeš 6-0 away, while Slaven Belupo won 3-0 at BSK in Bijelo Brdo.
After penalty kicks, Hajduk won 4-2 against Cibalia in Vinkovci, and Lokomotiv as the host won 4-0 against Varteks. Kurilovec surprised Istra in 1961 and won 2-1, while Dinamo overpowered Karlovac in 1919 away from home with 7-0.
Varaždin coach Nikola Šafarić pointed out after the match that his team completely controlled the match.
Until their goal, there was only one team on the field. We played one of the better games of the seasonfrom the first to the ninetieth minute. That goal disturbed us, their goalkeeper did a great job defending our excellent chances, and we could have solved it a little better, but here Duvnjak scored again, we applied pressure for the whole 120 minutes and I think it would be a real shame today if we didn’t go throughsaid Šafarić.
Coach of Osijek Željko Sopić he congratulated the host.
In some cultured world, this ends in 90 minutes, penalties are awarded and that’s it. I guess we had to fight until morning. I congratulate Varaždin, they scored two more penalties and deservedly passed, so I won’t go into further analysis because we won’t reach Osijek until four in the morningsaid Sopić, who did not want to look for an alibi in a large number of injured players.
Who has, has. Those who are not there will be played by others. I’m not commenting on the injuries, that’s not my alibi. I’m proud of the boys, I told them that in the dressing roomadded Sopić.
Osijek now turns to the championship and the test against Istria in 1961.
(Hina | Photo: Screenshot)
