Zrinjski eke out landmark victory
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
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NK Zrinjski 1-0 ŠK Slovan Bratislava
The hosts celebrated their first home win in the competition after a narrow success that leaves both sides still hopeful of progression.
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NK Zrinjski celebrated their first home win in UEFA Champions League qualifying with a 1-0 success against ŠK Slovan Bratislava that leaves both teams hopeful of reaching the third qualifying round after next Tuesday's decider in Slovakia.
Defensive display
The Mostar outfit succumbed 4-0 at home to F91 Dudelange four years ago, but there was to be no repeat as Krešimir Kordić buried the only goal of the game three minutes after the break. That came after a first half in which the hosts had dominated proceedings without carving enough openings, their opponents content to sit back and soak up pressure.
More risks
Zrinjski came out determined to make their breakthrough at the start of the second period and they did not have to wait long, Slovan goalkeeper David Bičík parrying a Marin Aničić shot into the path of Kordić and watching as the No19 found the back of the net after first hitting a post. The visitors took more risks going forward after that yet were held at bay as Dragan Jović's charges held on for the narrowest of victories.