Dinamo Zagreb and Hajduk Split played out a 1-1 draw to stay in the top three. In form Sammir opened the scoring however Anas Sharbini equalised for a rejuvenated Hajduk. Many fans are still baffled by Dinamo's continued use of Dodo, who is yet to score this season whilst Pedro Morales and Luis Ibanez warm the bench. New signings Fatos Beciraj and Jakub Sylvestr are expected to be used in the coming weeks. Tonel made his debut in the centre of defence.
Rijeka stay top despite being demolished 4-1 by Cibalia. Radomir Dalovic thought a good week with Montenegro would continue with his club after opening the scoring. However Radotic, Bartolovic, Kresinger and Baraban also got goals. Frane Vitaic also made his debut for Cibalia.
Karlovac moved themselves away from danger by defeating hapless Hrvatski Dragovoljac 2-0. Karlovac had enjoyed good preparations during international break and Josip Jerneic and Ante Batarelo returned the coaches trust with the key goals. Lokomotiva have also improved their league position with a 3-2 win over Zadar. Nino Bule scored twice with Croatian Under 21 international Marko Simic, who missed an entire season with injury scoring the other.
Zagreb are slipping from the top three after a 2-0 defeat against the seasons surprise package HNK Split. Split are also finding goals from all areas of the pitch with Predrag Simic and Ante Vitaic netting on this occasion. Split are now in the top five in the table. Osijek also got their second win on the bounce with a 3-1 win over trouble Sibenik. Zoran Kvrzic, Josip Barisic and Ivo Smoje got the goals. Mehmad Alispahic was on target for Sibenik who are suffering from injuries.
Sibenik look the most likely candidates from the strongly fancied HNL1 sides who could be in danger of relegation this season. The teams major issue is goalscoring as they have struggled to find a replacement for Ermin Zec. Zjelko Malcic, Niko Tokic and Drazen Jelic have all arrived in recent weeks to try to alter the teams fortunes.
Sibenik's troubles were made worse on Sunday after Inter Zapresic claimed a important 1-0 victory over fellow strugglers Istra Pula. Croatia Under 21 international prospect Antun Palic netted the goal. Matija Matko and Aleksander Trajkovski have bolstered Zapresic's strikeforce during the international break. Trajkovski was recommended to Zapresic by Chelsea, but has only been able to compete after he turned 18 years old. Istra also strengthened their side signing Sinisa Linic. However Robert Jarni urgently needs striker Asim Sehic back from injury.
