Rudeš and Slaven Belupo drew 2:2 in the Croatian First Football League on Thursday evening at the Gradski Stadion Velika Gorica. The hosts took the lead through S. El Haddad in the 54th minute before Slaven Belupo responded with two goals from I. Nestorovski, one from the penalty spot. M. Zebic rescued a point for Rudeš in stoppage time.
Stolnik saw red in the 61st minute after a challenge that left his side with ten men. The hosts had already been reduced in spirit by the half-time substitutions, bringing on C. Diabate and L. Banovec. By then Slaven Belupo were pressing forward, and the red card changed the shape of the game entirely.
Nestorovski converted from the spot in the 75th minute and added his second four minutes later. Rudeš were left flat-footed, unable to cope with the numerical disadvantage. The visitors carried the side through that period, creating chances where it mattered.
Slaven Belupo dominated possession at 63 per cent and registered 126 attacks compared to 111 for the hosts. They created six big chances but could only manage three shots on target, a 16 per cent accuracy rate. Many shots with two goals means chances went begging. The visitors were dominant in the air from set plays, winning 19 aerial duels.
Rudeš had just three shots on target from seven attempts inside the penalty area. Their shots accuracy sat at 33 per cent, and they managed only six key passes. The hosts had 17 fouls to Slaven Belupo's six, giving away too many cheap fouls in their own half. The wind ruined any passing game in the second half.
And here's the thing — the result leaves Rudeš ninth with four points from eight games, while Slaven Belupo move to seventh on seven points. We had tipped an away win with 85 per cent confidence. The match went differently when Stolnik went off and the visitors opened talks for a lead they held until the final whistle.
