Stojković scores twice as Dinamo edge Rijeka 2-1 in Maksimir derby

Luka Stojković scored both goals as Dinamo Zagreb beat Rijeka 2-1 at Maksimir on Tuesday in round 11 of the SuperSport HNL. The win lifted Dinamo to 22 points, one behind leader Hajduk, with a game in hand, according to Index.hr. Rijeka stay on 17.

A missed chance, then the lead

Dinamo wasted a chance in the first minute. Rijeka's Ante Majstorović misplayed a pass back to goalkeeper Igor Vekić, Dion Drena Beljo cut it out and found Dani Rodríguez, but his close-range shot was blocked by Anel Husić.

The lead came in the 35th minute. Arber Hoxha broke down the left and played in Beljo, who rolled the ball across for Stojković to hit from about ten metres, Index reports. Beljo's assist ended his run of scoring in every league game this season, Sportske novosti noted.

Rijeka level, Mišić sets up the winner

Dinamo pressed hard after the break, but Rijeka levelled when Tiago Dantas released Mladen Devetak on the left and Devetak found Samuele Vignato in the box. Rijeka's official match summary and Sportske novosti put the goal in the 63rd minute; Index, Sportnet and Net.hr say the 64th.

The winner came late. Josip Mišić took the ball off Rijeka's Ivan Ćubelić in midfield and fed Stojković, who struck from around 17 metres into the bottom corner. Rijeka's summary, Index, Sportnet and Sportske novosti have it in the 85th minute; Net.hr says the 84th. Index calls it Stojković's first league goal of the season.

What the coaches said

Rijeka coach Matjaž Kek blamed the errors that led to both goals, according to Sportnet. He added that Toni Fruk and Vignato had been doubtful and had not trained.

"It's hard to talk when you lose like this. Individual quality decided it, but once we had survived the bad spell and went for a second goal, it isn't easy. Mistakes like these are paid for dearly." Original: "Teško je pričati kada ovako izgubiš, presudila je individualna kvaliteta, ali kada smo već preživjeli loše razdoblje i krenuli po drugi gol, onda nije lako. Ovakve pogreške se skupo plaćaju." (Kek, via Sportnet)

Dinamo coach Mario Kovačević praised Stojković and asked for more support for Beljo.

"He has great quality, I believe he won't wait that long for the next goal. We need someone alongside Beljo to get going, everyone tried hard, I'm satisfied and truly happy for Luka." Original: "Ima veliku kvalitetu, vjerujem da neće toliko čekati na novi gol. Treba nam netko uz Belju da krene, svi su se trudili, zadovoljan sam i stvarno sretan zbog Luke." (Kovačević, via Sportnet)

Next

Dinamo play Rudeš next, Stojković said. Kek named Varaždin and Istra as Rijeka's coming tests.