Dinamo Zagreb finish job against Neftçi
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Article summary
Neftçi PFK 0-0 NK Dinamo Zagreb (agg: 0-3)
Having done the hard work last week, the Croatian champions kept their Azerbaijani counterparts at bay to reach the third qualifying round.
Article top media content
Article body
NK Dinamo Zagreb will play HJK Helsinki in the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round after wrapping up a 3-0 aggregate triumph over Neftçi PFK.
The Croatian titleholders were impressive on home soil last week, claiming what proved to be a decisive victory thanks to two goals from Ivan Krstanović and one from Milan Badelj. Krunoslav Jurčić's charges once again had the better of things in Baku and though they could not find a breakthrough, the hard work was already done.
It was the hosts who had the first notable opening, Rashad Abdullayev testing Dinamo goalkeeper Ivan Kelava from 30 metres. Yet the visitors soon asserted their authority, with Fatos Bećiraj and Šime Vrsaljko denied by Neftçi goalkeeper Saša Stamenković before Krstanović chanced his arm.
Sammir twice came close to finding the net in the second half, firstly hitting the post before also being thwarted by Stamenković. Bakhodir Nasimov spurned the Azerbaijani champions' best chance with 12 minutes remaining.
