The U-21 Croatian National Team Manager Niko Kovač called up four Hajduk players, as well as four Lokomotiva players, for the qualifying game against Lichtenstein. The players were expected to report for pre-match training with the national team by 5 PM on Sunday at the latest. Considering that Lokomotiva and Hajduk were due to play a championship match, a highlight of the round, the very same evening, it was deemed impossible for all eight players to both play in the match, and also join the national team immediately afterwards. After this suggestion, made by the clubs, was turned down, HNK Hajduk suggested that the game go ahead as planned. In other words, Hajduk was prepared to waive their four players if Lokomotiva were willing to do the same. However this also was turned down, and the decision made to postpone the match for August 28.

The postponement was thus in no way due to or caused by Hajduk. The club was of the opinion that the players could join the national team a mere few hours after the specified deadline. Furthermore, the alternative, namely to play the game without the called-up players, was only acceptable to Hajduk. Only then was the third alternative seriously considered, namely to postpone the game.