Sarajevo secured a 2-1 win at Široki Brijeg on Wednesday evening in the Premier League's Regular Season round five. The visitors took the lead through L. Guedes before R. Caraballo struck late, but A. Elezi's stoppage-time goal made it 2-1 to the away side. It was a result that kept both sides within touching distance of each other at the top of the table.
Široki Brijeg looked to be in control for much of the second half. They pressed high and forced several substitutions from the visitors, bringing on F. Zivkovic, S. Maroodza, M. Hrkac and I. Jelic all at the break. But Sarajevo weathered the storm and found their moment. By then the hosts had been dominant in the air from set plays, yet they could not convert their pressure.
Discipline proved crucial throughout. Široki Brijeg picked up three yellow cards while Sarajevo received five, with T. Tomic, S. Maroodza and F. Matic among the bookable. B. Barisic could have given his side the lead earlier, but his penalty was missed in the 56th minute. The hosts were not to be denied eventually, though. Elezi's 90th-minute strike was a reminder that football can turn in an instant.
The statistics told a story of possession but not necessarily of control. Sarajevo held 64 per cent of the ball and registered 108 attacks compared to Široki Brijeg's 70. They also had 17 shots to the hosts' eight, with six on target. And yet Široki Brijeg forced six corners less and created more clear-cut chances from their limited possession. Many shots with one goal means chances went begging for the visitors.
The result leaves Široki Brijeg third on eight points from five games, while Sarajevo sit fourth with seven points from four. The Bosnian derby has always been one of those fixtures where the table goes out of the window in these games. Both sides fancy their chances of mounting a serious challenge this season, and this result suggests neither will be pushed aside easily.
