Borac defeated Sarajevo at Koševo

(Patria) - Banja Luka's Borac defeated Sarajevo tonight at Koševo with a score of 2-0 in a postponed derby match of the 18th round of the BiH Premier League.

Ahead of the decisive 11 matches, Banja Luka residents have closed in on leaders Zrinjski to three points behind, and have likely extinguished Sarajevo's championship ambitions, given that the maroon team is 11 points behind, writes Faktor.

The match could not have started better for the visitors. Already in the second minute, a penalty was awarded to Borac after a collision between Kulašin and Soldo. Vuković placed the ball at 11 meters, sent the ball one way and Rogić the other for the celebration of the Banja Luka team.

Sarajevo's troubles did not end there, as defender Gojković was injured in the 10th minute and had to leave the field seven minutes later. Zekić brought in striker Butić instead and was forced to change the formation.

It took Sarajevo half an hour to threaten Borac. Kyeremeh shot in the 31st minute, Šiškovski saved and showed that Manojlović's departure to Swedish Djurgården would not overly affect the Banja Luka team.



Just a minute later, Šiškovski again emerged victorious from a duel with Kyeremeh, and another misfortune befell the hosts when Beganović was injured in the 34th minute. He was replaced by Unušić.

In the 43rd minute, the visiting goalkeeper intervened brilliantly when an unmarked Butić, after a corner, aimed for the near post from the far post, but Šiškovski brilliantly saved it with his feet.

Sarajevo appealed for a penalty in the 44th minute when, after Unušić's cross, the ball hit Grahovac's leg and then hand, but referee Tomić pointed to a corner. After communication with the VAR room, the initial decision was confirmed.

From the start of the second half, coach Zekić threw all his cards into attack. The yellow-carded Bubanja remained in the locker room, and Gordeziani got a chance to play, but that didn't change things much on the field.

Borac stayed behind the ball, patiently waiting for their chance, and, most importantly, almost completely neutralized Guliashvili, Sarajevo's best player this season.




In the 66th minute, the Sarajevo goalpost shook after Mehmedović blocked Herera's cross, and just a minute later, the doubts about the winner were resolved.

Despotović inexplicably received the ball unmarked, came to about twenty meters from Sarajevo's goal, and with a measured ground shot, hit the right corner of the helpless Rogić.

Butić tried a shot in the 77th minute, the ball went over the crossbar, and Vuković missed the chance to finish off the hosts in the 81st minute, but missed a clear opportunity.

A few moments later, Guliashvili had a little more space for the first time in the match, set himself up, and shot from the edge of the penalty area, the ball whizzed past the left post.

The same rivals will play a two-leg match in the semi-finals of the BiH Cup.

Sarajevo will host Igman in the 23rd round of the BiH Premier League, and Borac will play GOŠK at home.