Zrinjski defeats Velež, Mostar derby decided by controversial referee Jelić's decision after ball hits Bilbija's hand

(Patria) - The Mostar derby was played tonight at the Pod Bijelim Brijegom stadium as part of the 20th round of the WWIN League of Bosnia and Herzegovina, ending with a minimal home team victory (1:0), which broke the resistance of the Rođeni in the 86th minute with Karlo Avramović's debut goal, but the goal came after a highly controversial decision by referee Frane Jelić.

Leader Zrinjski was the favorite against Velež, but Mostar derbies are matches where nothing can ever be predicted, except that there will be fierce battles for every ball and often high tensions. One goal decided the winner today, but it was highly questionable.

This time, fans were again in the spotlight, as home supporters set fire to Velež fan banners at the start of the match, and due to flares and heavy smoke, referee Jelić interrupted the duel several times, so the first 45 minutes actually lasted over 55 minutes.

The fiftieth jubilee derby of Mostar offered plenty of excitement, with chances on both sides. The first serious situations were seen after the opening 20 minutes. First, Mlinarić stole the ball and passed to Srećković, who shot inaccurately towards the home goal, and then on the other side, experienced Bilbija hit the post from a cross by Memija.

After that, referee Jelić interrupted the match for the third time, again briefly. In the 24th minute, Memija crosses, Savić misses the ball, it hits Hrkać, but ends up in the hands of goalkeeper Hadžikić.

In the 31st minute, Topić crossed from a corner, the ball falls into the six-yard box, Jakovljević then shoots, but Hadžikić saves. In the 32nd minute, VAR checked a situation, but there was no penalty for Zrinjski.

At the start of stoppage time of as much as 10 minutes, Pršeš shot well, Marić saved. Before the break, Topić tried, but Hadžikić saves.

Before the start of the second half, Ilija Mašić entered the field for the home team instead of Slobodan Jakovljević. The first serious situation in the continuation was seen in the 56th minute, but Haskić and Halilović fail to get on the end of a dangerous cross from the left side.

In the 62nd minute, a new, fifth interruption, after a smoke screen again rose over the field. Jelić stopped the match again.

After the match resumed, Savić tried, but was slightly off target, and then Bilbija, in a good position, did not reach the ball, as Hadžikić ran out in time and collected the ball in front of the home team's attacker. On the other side, Mlinarić shoots, but Mašić blocks with his head.

Haskić escaped his markers and headed in the 70th minute, but the ball went just over the goal of Zrinjski. Tomislav Kiš had a sitter in the 80th minute, when he was alone in front of Hadžikić and, while falling, shot the ball over the goal.

In the 86th minute, young Karlo Abramović, assisted by Bilbija, scored his debut goal for 1:0, the home team celebrated, but then VAR momentarily silenced their celebration. Bilbija touched the ball with his hand while receiving it, but referee Jelić, after reviewing the footage, pointed to the center circle and sparked strong protests from the guests. The footage subsequently released clearly shows that the ball hit Bilbija's hand.

After this victory, Zrinjski increased their lead over Borac to +7, but the Banja Luka team have two games in hand. With a win in Bijeljina tonight, they can close to within just four points.

Velež is now seventh with 25 points. The Mostar side face a tough match against Sarajevo at home, followed by the return leg against Široki in the quarterfinals of the Cup after a 2:0 defeat at Pecara.

The Plemići face a visit to Igman in Konjic, followed by the return leg against Sarajevo in the Cup. In the first match at Koševo, they drew 1:1.

(sportsport.ba)