HNK Hajduk Split secured an important home victory in the 5th round of the HNL, defeating Lokomotiva 2-0 at the Poljud stadium. Two second-half goals sealed the win, confirming Hajduk's position in 4th place in the league with 7 points from their first four matches.
Index.hr Sport carried the post-match reactions. The visiting team's coach, Nikica Jelavić, acknowledged the home side's dominance. "Hajduk dominated in all segments," said Jelavić. He added that his team was not aggressive enough and lacked energy compared to their opponents.
How Hajduk decided the match
The match was balanced in the first period, but Hajduk took control after the break. Šege scored the opening goal, and Marin Šotiček doubled the advantage just minutes later. The victory brought Hajduk three points and a place in the upper part of the table, where they currently have scored 9 and conceded 5 goals. That's the fourth-best goal difference in the league.
The team now trails leaders NK Osijek by five points, but this win provides a solid foundation for the season ahead. Hajduk's next challenge is an away fixture against Rudes on September 6th, an opportunity to continue their positive run. Details of upcoming matches can be found on our fixtures page.
What the Lokomotiva coach said
Nikica Jelavić did not make excuses for his team's defeat. He highlighted that Lokomotiva had injury issues and a lack of squad depth. "We were not good in duels, on second balls," he stated. However, he expressed confidence the team would improve over the next five matches. According to him, Lokomotiva has been going through numerous squad changes each season, affecting stability.
Which new players featured for Hajduk
Hadžikadunić made his debut in this match, while new squad member Kalil Fayad was in attendance. Gonzalo Garcia was also involved in the moves that led to the victory. This win shows the squad is gradually gelling. To view all players, visit our squad page.
What is the HNL standings picture after this round
Hajduk's victory reinforces their status as one of the main contenders for high finishes. With 7 points and a record of 2 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss, the club is in a good rhythm. The gap to the top is five points, meaning every upcoming match carries significant weight. The current league table can always be checked on the standings page.
The away match against Rudes on September 6th will be the next test for a team looking to close the gap.
