Travelling across Europe - proving I'm better than Dan!

Good start!. @Dyrim That's a way you can look at it, but for our challenge it's a price to win!

That's the plan, I certainly hope I can capitalise on not just a mistake Dinamo make, but anyone near the top so I can try and open a big gap at the top.

Still has to be won though for the challenge.


Cheers. Absolutely mate, the plan is to win EVERYTHING in the domestic leagues across Europe, including Super Cups.

September was a short month as we played just the four matches with three being in the league against RNK Split, Rijeka and Slaven Belupo as well as a Croatian Cup first round tie against Second Division side Radnik Sesvete. It was a good month as we remained unbeaten throughout, chalking up a one hundred per cent record in September.


We started the month with a trip to RNK Split and the game turned out to be an absolute epic encounter as we came out on top in a nine goal thriller, winning five four against the odds. RNK led four one at half time as Grgic scored all their goals while Tomas struck ours. The second half was epic as Rondinelli's double, Sablic's penalty and Tomas' second ensured we won five four.

Our second game was a home clash with Rijeka and we picked up a straight forward three nil win as the deadlock wasn't broken until first half stoppage time when Tomas struck and then the lead was doubled on fifty eight minutes when Rufino found the back of the net and then Sablic made it three.

A trip to Radnik Sesvete in the first round of the Croatian Cup was a straight forward affair as we progressed following a four nil win as doubles from defender Vukusic and striker Rufino saw us advance. We face a trip to Lokomotiva in the second round.

And the month concluded with a trip to Slaven Belupo and we had to come from behind twice to ensure three more points as the side showed great resilience, Andjelkovic opened the scoring on the quarter hour but we equalised on twenty nine minutes through Diego's own goal but Zovko regained Belupo's lead but only for Hajduk to equalise for the second time through Tomas before the right winger struck twice late on to ensure his hat trick and three points.


A four point gap at the top of the table is what we now have come the end of an unbeaten September with rivals RNK Split behind us in second. I can't complain about our scoring form so far this season as we're currently averaging three goals a game, conceding twelve so far.

Brilliant (near perfect) so far. Could be on for all this season.

I doubt it. I'm pretty sure we'll slip up eventually this season.

Following an unbeaten previous month we approached the next month still unbeaten in the league and looking to keep that up as we had five league games against Zagreb, Inter Zapresic, Istra, Osijek and Zadar as well as having a Croatian Cup second round tie away to Lokomotiva.


We started with a trip to league strugglers and headed home with all the points following a five one win as we had a two goal half time lead with Trebotic and Tomas striking before Vukusic headed home a third early in the second half and then goals from Principe and Rufino made it five before Bustos struck a consolation for the bottom side.

Our next game was a home clash with Inter Zapresic and they were defeated three one with Rufino, Nwaogu and Lucas all striking in the first half to give us a three nil win but we weren't able to add anymore goals to our tally but let Leko pull a goal back on fifty nine minutes but we had the points.

Next up was the Croatian Cup trip to Lokomotiva as we progressed three nil on the night. Winger Lucas struck on three minutes and that's how it remained until half time but ten minutes into the restart and Rondinelli doubled our tally before Rufino sealed the passage with a third on seventy seven minutes. Rijeka await for a two legged quarter final.

We then travelled to Istra 1961 and they inflicted our first league defeat as Hajduk suffered a disgraceful six two defeat on the road with us falling behind inside the opening minute through Rildo but we equalised a minute later courtesy of Tomas but we fell behind on five minutes as Strel scored but we equalised for the second time through Tomas but that was the final enjoyment we had on a forgettable afternoon. Rildo's double to complete his hat trick and Preradovic had the home side five two up at half time before Vranic sealed a horrible afternoon in second half stoppage time.

With us looking to forget that awful trip to Istra we stayed on the road as we travelled to Osijek but could only pick up a point despite taking a two nil lead with Tomas and Rufino scoring on six and thirty three minutes respectively but Kouassi pulled a goal back two minutes later before Knzanovic equalised with twenty minutes left.

The month concluded with a home game with Zadar and for the second game running we surrendered a two goal advantage to only pick up a point, Lucas broke the deadlock on twenty five minutes much to the delight of our support before Tomas doubled the score a minute before the break. Second half goals from Bencun and a Cruz own goal ensured Zadar picked up an undeserved point.


Three games without a win but we're still top of the table... somehow but it seems on the head to head record as second place Dinamo have a better goal difference than ourselves but we have a game in hand vs. Istra. Two months are remaining before we head into the winter break and it's important we open up a gap.

With the side three games without a win, we entered the penultimate month of the year looking to bounce back with a few wins as we looked to open up a gap at the top of the First Division and I was looking to chalk off my third trophy in Croatian football.


Our game in hand vs. Istra started the month and we picked up an important three points thanks to a second half own goal as Gracan put the ball through his own goal with just six minutes on the clock.

We then faced the league champions Dinamo at home and they were defeated three nil in Split with Rondinelli opening the scoring on twenty six minutes to send our support into raptures and then they celebrated again nine minutes later when Rufino found the net and then the same man sealed the victory with four minutes remaining.

Next up was the Croatian Cup quarter final first leg affair away to Rijeka and we edged a five goal thriller as two goals inside the opening quarter hour looked to have us in control - Lucas and Tomas scoring. Rijeka pulled a goal back in first half stoppage time but Rufino struck on fifty four minutes to restore our two goal advantage before Podgoresk struck a second Rijeka goal on eighty six minutes.

RNK Split was up next at home and the points were shared following a one all draw. Tomas opened the scoring for us but Grgic equalised in the second half.

The Croatian Cup quarter final second leg was next and the sides played out a thrilling three all draw as we advanced six five on aggregate and defender Vukusic opened the scoring on fourteen minutes before Skocic levelled on nineteen minutes but Principe resored our lead and that's how it remained at half time. Early in the second half central defender Yilmaz made it three one on the night but Svrljuga and Mertiri both scored for Rijeka to level the tie on the night but we still advanced.

A trip to Rijeka finished the month and we picked up a valuable three one win as all the goals arrived in the second half as Rufino opened the scoring on sixty four minutes but five minutes later Skocic equalised before Erceq scored his first goal for the club on eighty six minutes to almost ensure we picked up the points - Tomas struck in stoppage time to ensure the win.


On the back of a much better month, we (Hajduk) have opened up a five point gap at the top of the table.

The final month of the year was upon us and we had just the one game to cope with this month as we faced Slaven Belupo at home before the long winter break but I'm sure my assistant manager will arrange some friendlies to keep fitness up.


Our only game of the month was indeed against Slaven Belupo and the points were shared in an eight goal thriller. We fell behind on seventeen minutes when Grbac opened the scoring but midfielder Nwaogu equalised but Markovic put Slaven Belupo back in front on thirty one minutes but four minutes later Rufino equalised for a second time and then former RNK Split player Rondinelli turned the game around with five minutes left in the first half. Slaven equalised early in the second half but Rondinelli's second put us back in front but we couldn't hold on for the win as Grbac completed his hat trick with three minutes left.


As we're about to enter the winter break we are six points clear at the top of the table following that point against Slaven Belupo as we're six clear of last season's champions Dinamo but I'm still not confident we can win the league as I'm sure Dinamo will be strong in the second half of the season but I hope I can wrap up my third trophy here in Croatia this season.

Our first game back from the winter break will see us make the trip to Dinamo so it's an extremely tough game heading back into competitive action. We'll also face Istra 1961 and Osijek both at home to conclude the first month (February) back from the break. It's tough.

Nice to see you dominate the first half of the season, no surprises though!

You beating Dinamo set them back a lot. They probably not used to losing from 14 played 30 points, only taking 1 point out of the next three

I'm still not confident that we can wrap up the league as we're not that good, only top through luck.


I think we've now beaten Dinamo in our last four fixtures, in all competitions (Croatian Cup, Super Cup and then two league fixtures) but I do expect them to be strong come the second half of the season and we're only six points clear at the top of the table so I'm not overly confident we can win the league, nor will I be until it's mathematically possible.

I guarantee once again you do

We'll see. Should I win the league though then you will accuse me of cheating.

Great to see how you came back after the dip in the end of October. 6 points with Spilt and 7 with Dinamo should be enough to secure this title.

Winning the league is certainly possible but it's not assured. We have four hard months left to play.

I've made three new signings ahead of the second part of the season but in return I've let three players depart the club while I've also arranged nine winter friendly matches and we picked up victories in all but one of the games - I'm feeling more confident heading into the second half of the season.


Three players have arrived during the winter break all from Austrian giants Rapid Wien. Central defender Cyzio has joined for five hundred and fifty thousand while Fasching has cost us just five grand due to him being on the transfer list and left back Schumacher arrives for one hundred and forty thousand and will be first choice as he's the best left back in our squad.


Both Matic and Tesija fell out with me because I wouldn't let them both depart on-loan so I shipped them both out. Defender Matic has joined Travnik for a quarter of a million while striker Tesija is heading to Sencur for two hundred and forty thousand and right back Gualberto joined Bnei Yehuda for just shy of six hundred thousand.

One more player departed the club, left back Ivcic has left on-loan and I believe he's joined Istra until the end of the season.


Nine friendlies were arranged and they were against Primorac, Pomorac, Dugopolje, Slavia Pleternica, Imotski, Dinamo Moscow, Baranja, Jadran and Hr. Dragovoljac.

Things started well as we defeated Primorac 5-0 away from home as Principe, Tomas, Nwaogu, Fasching and Bulic finding the net while we defeated Pomorac five one with Nwaogu, Tomas, Rondinelli, Rufino and Erceq on target and then a single goal from attacking midfielder Rondinelli saw off Second Division side Dugopolje. I then travelled to my former club and defeated them four nil - Lucas, Rufino double and Tomas scoring in the first half.

Our next game had us visiting Imotski and won six one with Rufino 2, Tomas, Yilmaz, Fasching and Kuzmanic scoring before we slipped up in our next game, going down one nil at home to Dinamo Moscow before we won six one for the second friendly in three against Baranja as Tomas 2, Rufino, Lucas 2 and Cryzio found the net.

We travelled to Jadran for our penultimate friendly game and a stunning attacking display saw them hammered 10-0. Lucas, Rufino 4, Rondinelli 2, Tomas, Erceq and Simic finding the net before we made the trip to Hr. Dragovoljac for our last game and we won two nil as Perkovic put through his own net on fifteen minutes before Edson doubled the lead in the final minute.

Thats a glut of goals during you friendlies. Must make you feel convident going into the 2nd halve of the competition.

Indeed great run for the confidence in the last 4 months of the league. Morale must be high. Use it to make a gap and grap the title. Good luck with it.

It does but I will take nothing for granted, competitive football is a LOT different to friendlies.


I can't win the league because if I do then Dan will accuse me of cheating...again.

Nah but in all seriousness the results in the friendly fixtures, bar one were remarkable and I don't think we've ever dominated games until this season and once we learn to defend as well as attack then I'd be laughing all the way to the title but it's going to be difficult as I've still to face last season's league champions Dinamo twice.

Should be able to fire a couple of updates out today all being well as I've nothing to better to do at the moment.

We returned to competitive action following a successful winter friendly break that saw us pick up eight wins from nine games, losing just the once to Dinamo Moscow. On the return to action, February saw us play just the three games against Dinamo, Istra and Osijek - it was our first competitive month of twenty twenty-eight.


So our first competitive game of twenty twenty-eight saw us travel to last season's champions Dinamo and they inflicted defeat upon us as they won three one in Zagreb. Dinamo took the lead on fourteen minutes through Mazzieri and that's how it remained until the first minute of the second half as Marlon doubled the score but Rufino pulled a goal back for us on forty eight minutes but a Bruno penalty sealed the win for Dinamo.

Our first home game of the New Year had us face Istra 1961 and we produced an excellent display of football to defeat them four one as we didn't manage to break the deadlock until the forty third minute when Rufino opened the scoring but Istra levelled proceedings early in the second half before goals from Tomas, Lucas and Sablic completed the rout.

The third and final game of the month seen us host Osijek and we surrendered a two goal lead (not for the first time this season and probably not the last) to only draw two all. Goals from wingers Tomas and Lucas had us two goals up at the interval but second half strikes from Ereiz and Kouassi rescued Osijek a point. I wasn't amused, just can't defend.


We are still top of the table.. two points clear of Dinamo and nine clear of RNK Split as ourselves and Dinamo are opening up a gap on the third place side.

March proved to be an extremely busy month as we played eight games in all competitions as we looked to try and wrap up the league title as soon as possible and attempt to retain the Croatian Cup too as we had a semi final two legged affair with Slaven Belupo to overcome. In the league we faced Zagreb, Zadar, Slaven Belupo, Inter Zapresic, RNK Split and Dinamo. It was a busy, busy month.


We started the month on the road in the Croatian Cup semi final first leg as we travelled to Slaven Belupo and we had one foot in the final following a three one win with all the goals arriving in a crazy fifteen minute period. Two goals in four minutes from Rufino and Principe had us two goals up before Markovic pulled one back but Rondinelli's goal in first half stoppage time put us three one up and that's how it ended.

Back to league action and we stayed on the road as we visited struggling Zagreb and the home side were defeated three one as Rufino broke the deadlock for us on six minutes before Tomas doubled the lead after only nine minutes. With a rout looking on the cards the home side pulled a goal back on twelve and we added a third early in the second half courtesy of an own goal.

A single goal from Tomas ensured maximum points at home vs. Zadar.

We then faced Slaven Belupo in the Croatian Cup semi final second leg and it finished 1-1 on the night and ensured we progressed 4-2 on aggregate with Principe's goal on thirty five minutes being cancelled out with an equaliser through Andjelkovic a minute into the second half.

We returned to league action and our title challenge got stronger as we faced Slaven Belupo for the second time in succession but this time we defeated them four two in Split as we had a four goal lead at half time as Rufino opened the scoring on thirteen minutes before two goals inside six first half minutes from Trebotic had us three up before Rodinelli struck just before half time. The side switched off in the second half and allowed Markovic and Erseg to score but the result was never in doubt.

Our next game was at home for the fourth consecutive time and this time we faced Inter Zapresic and Hajduk produced another excellent display to defeat the visitors five two despite the away fans celebrating first as Hassan struck after only six minutes but they were pegged back as Radojcic equalised and then we took control as Principe, Trebotic, Radojcic's second and Simic struck to put us 5-1 up before Pinto fired a second consolation goal with fifteen minutes remaining,

The penultimate game of the month saw us make the short journey to RNK Split and we messed up another two goal lead, this time to lose three two at our bitter rivals. In-form striker Radojcic struck twice in the eleventh and thirty sixth minute to put us two up and what looked like in control but Hodak pulled a goal back just before half time and then doubled his tally as RNK Split equalised on fifty six minutes and eight minutes later Parac won RNK the points.

A home game with Dinamo concluded the month and I wasn't overly confident following our previous defeat but we produced a sensational performance to defeat them four one with Principe finding the net to open the scoring on just seven minutes and then the in-form Radojcic doubled the lead on twenty seven but Guilherme pulled one back before half time and I thought "here we go again, time to mess up another 2-0 lead. Same old" but we scored two more in the second half to seal 3 points as Vukusic and Barisic both scored.


Was going to say can you smell the league title? but I don't want to get carried away as we're only five points clear at the top with nine games remaining (we have a game in hand, away vs. Rijeka - win that and we're eight points clear) but it's incrediably tight at the top as Dinamo are still in second place. It's also tight at the bottom with just three points separating bottom of the table Slaven Belupo and second bottom Zagreb.

Hajduk's league run in:

APRIL:
Rijeka (A)
Istra 1961 (A)
Rijeka (H)
Osijek (A)
Zadar (A)
Zagreb (H)

MAY:
Slaven Belupo (A)
Inter Zapresic (A)
RNK Split (H)

It's a tough run in for us. Six games away and just the three at home. Couldn't be trickier.

Good luck with the run. You can lose once more or maybe two draws but it's really possible. Go grab the title!

Lots of away games but you get the highest plaed team at home atleast. And you dont have Dinamo anymore, so you "only" have to copy there results. I think you have an excelent chance to win!

It's indeed possible but it's definitely a tough run in due to the amount of away games we've remaining. If we had more games at home then I'd have more belief that I could wrap up the league title.


Six of the remaining nine league fixtures are away from home and that's awful but I just need to "deal with it" and move on. The title is ours to mess up and hopefully that doesn't happen so I'd be annoyed.

With the penultimate month upon us and the race for the Croatian First Division league title heating up, we entered April with the side facing six league games and it wasn't our greatest month of the season as we only won three and lost three of our six games.


Our game in hand versus Rijeka started the month and we couldn't move eight points clear at the top as we slipped to a three one defeat on the road as we fell behind on nine minutes as Mertiri but we equalised on fourteen as Rondinelli found the net. Second half goals from Esteves on sixty five minutes and Francisco in stoppage time sealed the win for Rijeka.

We remained on the road for the second consecutive game as we visited Istra and came out on top in a five goal thriller, winning three two. For the second game in succession we fell behind on nine minutes as Strok scored but a double from Rufino turned the game around before half time but Cedric equalised a minute into the second half. We won the game with twelve minutes remaining as Rondinelli struck for a crucial and vital three points.

For the second time in three games we faced Rijeka, this time in Split and we picked up our second consecutive win as we beat them two one with Rufino scoring our first on three minutes before the same scored his and our second on fifty three minutes - Rijeka pulled a goal back with two minutes left.

A trip to Osijek was next and we slipped to a disappointing single goal defeat as Ereiz scored what turned out to be the winning goal after only four minutes. We didn't deserve anything, a poor day.

Our fourth away game of the month saw us make the journey to Zadar and we yet again suffered another crushing setback, again going down one nil on the road. Zadar scored the only goal after twelve minutes as Luizinho scored the only goal after twelve minutes. Should have at least picked up a point.

And the month concluded with a home clash against struggling Zagreb and we picked up a much needed three points following a two goal win. A penalty from Rufino separated the sides as he converted from twelve yards after twenty two minutes before Rondinelli sealed the win.


The league title still hasn't been assured as a poor month from us has seen the gap cut down to three points but it's still our title to balls up. Dinamo, who have been scoring for us this season are three points behind with three games remaining. It's going to be a tough run in for us as we face Slaven Belupo and Inter Zapresic both away and end the season with a home tie against RNK Split.

This is going to be a thriller, especialy because your behind on goaldifference. So you can affort only one draw.

very close mate good luck !

Three leagues remaining to win the league, I'm sure we can seal the league now.

We entered the final month of the season looking to secure Hajduk's first league title since 2005 but it wasn't going to be easy as we faced three taunting games to conclude the season while we looked to retain the Croatian Cup as we faced a two legged tie with Zagreb.


A trip to Slaven Belupo started the run-in and we picked up a needed four two win but it wasn't easy as we fell behind on ten minutes as Grbac found the net but we equalised a minute later through Tomas before falling behind for the second time on the quarter hour, Mba scoring. On twenty nine minutes we equalised for the second time as Rufino scored and then Lucas turned the game around before half time. Brazilian Rondinelli sealed the win with the game entering second half stoppage time.

We then made a second straight trip as we travelled to Inter Zapresic and could only pick up a point as Jonathan put the home side into the lead after twelve minutes before Hassan doubled the lead on forty two minutes. The "shoe was on the other foot" as we had to fight back to earn a point as Rufino and Trebotic scored inside the final twenty minutes. Champions.

Our next game was the Croatian Cup final first leg against Zagreb and we looked on course to retain our trophy following a 3-1 first leg victory as a Rondinelli double had us two up after only nine minutes before Rufino added a third goal after thirty eight minutes. Bunjevic pulled a goal back in the second half but it didn't change the outcome.

The league season came to an end with a tough game against RNK Split but with the title decided the outcome didn't really matter but we recorded an excellent four one victory as goals from Rufino, Tomas and Lucas had us three goals up at the interval before Rufino's second early in the second half made it four but Grgic denied us a clean sheet as he struck with five minutes left.

The final competitive game of the season was the second leg of the Croatian Cup final and we won the second leg three one to record a 6-2 aggregate victory with Rufino striking after only two minutes to give us the lead but Vukman equalised on the day before second half goals from Lucas and Rufino's second of the game sealed the win ensured we retained the Croatian Cup.


Championess!

What a season. A tremendous treble has been secured as we have won the league and Croatian Cup to go alongside the Super Cup that we had secured before the league season had started. We've finished four points behind last season's league champions Dinamo and I'm so pleased.

Our league success this season ensured that we've broken Dinamo's domination of the Croatian First Division and have secured Hajduk's first league trophy since 2005. I'm going to resign and it's up to whoever takes the reigns to ensure we retain the league title. It'll be tough because Dinamo will want their title back.

I've done it again! I should start doing the lottery at this rate!