Zagreb Hask Edge Past NK Udarnik Kurilovec in Tight Croatian Second Football League Encounter

Zagreb, 10 May 2026 – Zagreb Hask secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over NK Udarnik Kurilovec in Matchday 28 of the Croatian Second Football League on Sunday afternoon. The solitary goal proved enough to keep Hask in the hunt for promotion, while the visitors were left ruing missed opportunities at the Stadion Kajzerica.

The match was a tense, tactical affair typical of mid-table battles in the Druga HNL. Both sides entered the contest needing points for different reasons: Hask pushing for a top-two finish, while Udarnik sought to distance themselves from the relegation zone.

Match Overview

From the opening whistle, Zagreb Hask asserted control of possession, with midfield anchor Lovro Šimić dictating the tempo. The home side created the clearer chances in the first half, with striker Matej Knežević firing just wide from 18 yards on the quarter-hour mark. Udarnik, however, grew into the game after the break, employing quick counter-attacks through winger Luka Tomić.

The deadlock was broken in the 68th minute. A well-worked corner routine saw central defender Ivan Barišić rise highest to meet the ball, nodding it past Udarnik goalkeeper Marko Radić. The goal came against the run of play, as the visitors had just forced two consecutive corners themselves.

Key Moments

• 25' – Hask's right-back Josip Vuković sends in a dangerous cross, but Knežević cannot connect cleanly under pressure.
• 44' – Udarnik's best chance of the first half: midfielder Petar Kovačević's curling free-kick is tipped over by Hask keeper Ante Majić.
• 68' – Goal! Ivan Barišić scores with a powerful header from a corner delivered by Tomislav Horvat. Zagreb Hask 1-0 NK Udarnik Kurilovec.
• 83' – Udarnik substitute forward Dominik Novak hits the post with a low drive from the edge of the box.
• 90'+3' – Last-minute scramble: Radić comes up for a corner, but Hask clear their lines.

Tactical Story

Zagreb Hask manager Damir Krznar set his team up in a compact 4-4-1-1 shape, instructed to press high in midfield and force Udarnik into long balls. The plan worked largely due to the discipline of defensive midfielder Filip Zdelar, who covered ground effectively and broke up play. Udarnik, under coach Zoran Antolović, opted for a 4-2-3-1 but struggled to link midfield and attack when Hask sat deeper after taking the lead.

The turning point was undoubtedly Barišić's set-piece winner. Hask had been threatening from dead-ball situations throughout the match, while Udarnik failed to adjust their zonal marking. After the goal, the visitors threw caution to the wind, pushing forward but lacking the final pass needed to break down a well-organized home backline.

Standout Players

• Ivan Barišić (Zagreb Hask) – The match winner. His towering header was the game's decisive moment, and he was rock-solid defensively, winning every aerial duel in his box.
• Ante Majić (Zagreb Hask) – The goalkeeper made three crucial saves, including a stunning first-half stop from Kovačević's free-kick, to preserve his clean sheet.
• Filip Zdelar (Zagreb Hask) – The midfield enforcer covered the most ground of any player, completing 7 tackles and 12 interceptions. His work rate was instrumental in nullifying Udarnik's creative players.
• Luka Tomić (NK Udarnik Kurilovec) – Despite the loss, Tomić was a constant threat on the left flank, completing 4 dribbles and delivering dangerous crosses that unfortunately found no finish.

Table Impact and Season Context

The victory lifts Zagreb Hask to 50 points from 28 games, moving them into joint second place in the Croatian Second Football League standings – a position that carries promotion playoff potential. NK Udarnik Kurilovec remain in 11th place with 32 points, six points above the relegation zone with six matches remaining. For Udarnik, this was a missed opportunity to take a significant step toward safety, while Hask will look to carry this momentum into their next fixture against bottom-side NK Opatija.

This match underlined the competitiveness of the Druga HNL this season, where fine margins often separate the contenders from the survivors. The 1-0 scoreline was a fair reflection of a game where defensive organization and set-piece efficiency triumphed over anxious attacking play.