Croatian First Football League: NK Dugopolje 2-1 HNK Cibalia NK Dugopolje edged a hard-fought 2-1 victory against HNK Cibalia in a tense encounter in the Croatian First Football League. This crucial win in the battle to avoid the relegation zone gives Dugopolje vital breathing space, moving them clear of the bottom places. Cibalia, meanwhile, will rue missed opportunities as their search for consistency continues. The match was ultimately decided by a moment of quality from a Dugopolje forward just after the hour mark. The home side took an early lead, capitalizing on a defensive error from Cibalia. A misplaced pass in midfield was intercepted, and Dugopolje quickly transitioned, with their winger cutting inside and firing a low shot into the far corner. Cibalia grew into the game and deservedly equalized before halftime. A sustained period of pressure resulted in a cross from the right being met with a powerful header that gave the Dugopolje goalkeeper no chance. The second half was a cagey affair until the 65th minute, when Dugopolje's match-winner emerged. A clever flick from a striker released his attacking partner behind the Cibalia defense, and he showed great composure to round the keeper and score. Cibalia pushed for another equalizer, hitting the post in the final ten minutes, but Dugopolje held firm. The focus point of the match was Dugopolje's resilience after losing their early lead. They regrouped at halftime and showed greater tactical discipline in the second period. Cibalia will point to their woodwork strike as unlucky, but their defensive lapse for the winner was costly. The three points are massive for Dugopolje, potentially lifting them out of the immediate relegation playoff spot and injecting confidence into the squad. For Cibalia, the defeat leaves them mired in the lower reaches of the table, with the threat of a difficult end to the season looming larger. The Dugopolje manager spoke of a "huge effort and a deserved reward," while his Cibalia counterpart stated his team "needs to be more ruthless at both ends of the pitch." NK Dugopolje's starting XI was set up to be compact and hit on the break, a plan that worked perfectly for the decisive goal. HNK Cibalia's lineup included their key playmaker, but he was well-marshaled for much of the contest.