Zagreb comes out on top in a must win game
By: Ray Porter
Zagreb faced Paris in a must win game for both as Zagreb fight for the title, while Paris is doing their best in a relegation struggle. The Croats were dead set on putting the pressure on Vienna, who’d face Norden FK later this matchday. If games went Zagreb’s way, the former 8 point lead of Vienna could melt to being first on goal difference.
Although Zagreb tried a lot, they failed to create any meaningful chance in the first 30 minutes until Akiyama Hernandez was moved to a more advanced position. In the 37th minute, the trident of Barry, Vargas and Hernandez would strike, as Barry held off a long ball, laid it off to Hernandez who was through on goal after a one-two with Vargas. His left-footed finish into the bottom corner sent Zagreb fans into celebration. And Zagreb would grab another almost immediately: It would be Hernandez again, who’d sent in Bebe Barry with a long ball. “Big Cheeto” had no problem in the one on one with the keeper, showing once again why he is one of the best strikers in the league.
The second half so no real threat to the 2-0 status quo, which is why the game ended with the same score. While Paris fails to take advantage of the Berlin-Roma draw, Zagreb put pressure on their rivals for the title. The clear MOTM was Akiyama Hernandez with his goal and assist.
