Rudeš players celebrated a 1-0 victory over Osijek, avenging a heavy defeat at the start of the season. The win moved Rudeš four points clear of Gorica at the bottom of the table.
In the closing stages, Poldrugač struck powerfully from distance, but Malenica managed to save his shot. After the ball bounced along the goal line, Cherno Saho pushed it in to decide the match.
Rudeš manager Alen Peternac said it had been two completely different games. He explained that at the start of the season they were still finding their feet and assembling the squad, and that the international break had been a good opportunity for the team to gel. He added that Rudeš would be a tough nut to crack for everyone.
"There were chances on both sides, we controlled the game well, played defensively well and looked for our opportunity," said Peternac. He added that the league had only just begun and that every win was important for the team, the dressing room and the energy.
Peternac highlighted that his players were on the up, having recorded two wins and a draw in the last four matches. "We are in good rhythm, the energy is excellent, the atmosphere in the team is more than satisfactory and I believe we will grow from match to match," he said.
On the other side, Osijek are in a negative rhythm. In their last three matches after the break, all of which they played at home, Osijek have managed to secure just one point.
Osijek manager Federico Bessone said that today was perhaps the hardest day of his managerial career. He admitted he had wanted to cry after the match and believed his team did not deserve to lose. He also said he wanted to watch the match again to be able to make a smarter analysis.
Bessone expressed his disappointment and said they had the chance to sleep in second place, but had messed it up. "I am empty and it is even harder for me because of the way we lost," said the Osijek manager.
