NK Novalja’s final home game of the season remained one they need to make desperately needed to make sure they won. A loss would force Janz’ club to win their final game at Slaven Belupo, a feat the club had never achieved.
Split had a long history against Novalja, and only last season (like Osijek) defeated Novalja when Janz’ club looked to be pushing for the title. 3rd place Sibenik is at home against 2nd place Slaven Belupo in a game that if Slaven Belupo loses, will give the title to Novalja.
Novalja vs Split Sibenik vs Slaven Belupo
Novlaja lined up in the usual 4-4-2 diamond, but with several changes from the last week. Welcomed back from injury where Mladen Ruzic and Davor Kurtovic. In a bit of surprise decision, Drazen Budimir was given the start of Joaozinho at right-back. Partnering with Kurtovic at the front was young Ovidio de Luz, a prospect that Janz must have been hoping could add a jolt of energy on his debut. Hugo Gonzalez returned to the line-up in place of Kovacevic on the right.
Split were led in their usual attacking 4-4-2 with their two in-loan and in-form players Juan Antonio Garai at the front and Ivan Izquierdo on the left-side of midfield. Split were without influential midfielder Miroslav Jelavic.
Sibenik 4-4-2 attacking. Slaven Belupo 5-3-2 formation
Novalja showed some nerves in front of the expectations of the home crowd, as keeper Martinovic had to be called on to make 2 fine saves in the 10th minute. Izquierdo was allowed to get into his box, and when Martinovic parried his shot away, the ball fell nicely for Split striker Knezevic who pounced on the rebound but directed his shot straight at the prone Martinovic. The ball bounced back to the Split striker, but Budimir had recovered by then, and cleanly tackled the ball out for a corner.
Jacques was able to head clear the ensuing ball and Novalja fans breathed easier for escaping the early pressure.
17th minute. A Pelaez shot curled well at the Slaven Belupo net, but keeper Knezevic was able to save.
In the 19th minute, Kurtovic knocked the ball down for Gonzalez Garcia and the midfielder took the ball well and hit the ball low and towards the corner but the Split keeper saved well to deny the midfielder.
Just minutes later Garcia Martin was given time on the ball, and dashed up the left side of the pitch. His low cross found a flashing run from striker Kurtovic.
In his first game back from injury, the Novalja striker surprised everyone by knocking the ball at the goal with his first touch, and was rewarded with a shot the fooled the keeper and found the far corner.
NK Novalja 1 Split 0
Split came back immediately after, however, and a Izquierdo run past Budimir (the youngster was soundly beaten) left the playmaker in good position to set up Garai. The ball fell nicely for the striker, but his shot went well high and wide of the net.
25th minute. Slaven Belupo’s attempted overhead kick sails well over the ball
On the 33rd minute, Izquierdo put another ball into the area and Knezevic did brilliantly to control the pass, and then nutmeg Novalja captain Jacques. With the space he cleared for himself he took a right footed shot, but it flashed just wide of the post.
5 minutes later, Budimir got forward on a rare run and with a quick pass slotted one through into the area for Cuero. The Columbian turned well on the ball and from a sharp angle unleashed a powerful shot, but Split keeper Jurcic was quick to react and palmed the ball away. The ensuing corner was easily cleared by Split.
A good slide tackle from Dukic denies Kris Haxton a chance at goal for Sibenik.
Kurtovic had a half-chance just before half-time but his long-range volley sailed well over the stands (and we do mean over).
Slaven Belupo freekick just outside the area flashed against the wall. Still nil-nil.
After half-time Novalja were looking the more active of the two squads, and da Luz had a powerful header from a Gonzalez Garcia chip denied by Jurcic.
In the 53rd, Izquierdo continued to find space and this time picked out a run of midfielder Perkovic, but Martinovic was able to turn the player’s fine volley away for a corner.
Although Gonzalez Garcia made a fine tackle to temporarily clear the ensuing corner, Split managed to pick out a run of Knezevic, but the striker try to use far too much power and sent the ball out of the park.
54th minute. Sibenik keeper Ivankovic does well to pick a dangerous cross out the air to keep the score level.
Knezevic was finding some room against Jacques, and in the 63rd minute picked up the ball deep and with Jacques trailing closely scooped another shot over the bar.
In the 63rd, Janz brought Denis Markovic in for da Luz, as the home crowd gave a solid ovation for the Bralizian’s debut. The substitute lined up a freekick just moments later, but it was blocked out for a corner. Another Novalja freekick went wasting about two minutes after that.
Izquierdo once again broke forward, and with Budimir trying to keep up, unleashed a low drive that went wide of the far post.
79th minute. A Sibenik substitution almost pays immediate dividends, but Brajkovic’s shot flies well over.
Split made a substitution, and came forward again with sustained pressure. Split midfielder Pranjic was able to get on the end of a Perkovic cross and from a tight angle was able to poke the ball towards the Novalja net, but the fall ricocheted off the crossbar and was cleared away by the Novalja defense.
As the minutes ticked down, Novalja couldn’t find room against a hard pressuring Split midfield. Izquierdo was still trying to create the equalizer and almost did just that by picked out another run of Knezevic but his hopeful shot struck the crossbar and went out of play.
Novalja was desperately trying to hold on to the win now, but Knezevic was determined to force another chance at goal. With tremendous skill the Split striker beat both Gonzalez Garcia and Jacques and in a one-on-one position was able to get a shot off.
Martinovic was up to the challenge, and held onto the ball for as long as could kicking it clear just second before the whistle blew.
A flurry of activity just before the whistle as both sides try to create a last chance at a win. Sibenik earns a freekick in the dying moments, but Brajkovic ensuing shot just misses.
Final:
Novalja 1 Split 0
Sibenik 0 Slaven Belupo 0
With one game to play, Novalja was 3 points ahead of 2nd place Slaven Belupo. Novalja no longer needed to win, but they could not lose or Slaven Belupo would finish even on points and force a play-off for the Croatian championship.
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