Sloboda free to dream in Bosnia-Herzegovina
Monday, March 16, 2009
Article summary
A dramatic weekend defeat for NK Zrinjski has revived FK Sloboda Tuzla's hopes of a title in Bosnia-Herzegovina, with coach Sakib Malkočević saying the eight-point gap between the top two is "big, but not unbreachable".
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A dramatic weekend defeat for NK Zrinjski has revived FK Sloboda Tuzla's hopes of a title in Bosnia-Herzegovina, with coach Sakib Malkočević saying the eight-point gap between the top two is "big, but not unbreachable".
Dramatic derby
Saturday's game between NK Široki Brijeg and local rivals Zrinjski brought the league leaders unbeaten run in 2009 to an abrupt end, with Dalibor Šilić, Dejan Martinović and Ivan Zovko scoring in a 3-0 win for the 2003/04 and 2005/06 champions. It also helped Široki Brijeg to atone for a 3-0 loss at NK Čelik in their previous game when Emir Hadžić scored a hat-trick.
Late winner
While Široki Brijeg remain sixth, a full 13 points behing Zrinjski, their victory has done much to inspire the sides looking to reel the league leaders in. Nikola Michelinni's last-minute winner gave Sloboda a 1-0 win against FK Slajiva Sarajevo to move them into second place, and they are now eager to chase Zrinjski down as the season draws to a close.
'Top shape'
"The advantage the team from Mostar have is big, but not unbreachable," insisted Malkočević. "We're in top shape and we'll do anything to get Zrisnjki out of that leading position. However, we would be satisfied with second place at the end of the season, since several clubs are in close comtention: Slavija, Laktaši and Široki Brijeg."
Freedom fighters
Sloboda – literally 'Freedom' – have started 2009 well, winning all three of their league games. They boast the best defence in the league, having conceded just eleven times in 18 league fixtures, and now have 12 games left as they challenge for their first title, with a home game against Zrinjski penciled in for 4 April.
Semi-final pairings
At the foot of the table, reigning champions FK Modriča are a little closer to safety with NK Posušje now bottom, despite having switched coaches, Boris Gavran being replaced by Goran Dukić. The two-legged Bosnia-Herzegovnian Cup semi-finals, meanwhile, will commence on 25 March, with Zrinjski meeting Slavija and Sloboda hosting Široki Brijeg.