Ivan Mastelic is a young striker on the verge of breaking into the first team, as he made his first appearance for first team on a friendly game in Skabrnja, where he scored his first goal for Buric's team.
"I'm happy for the goal. I already went to summer preparations with the first team so this is like an award for working hard and the best motive to continue this way."
Ivan Mastelic, born January 02, 1996 in Marktoderdorf, Germany, where his family moved in search of job went back to Brnaze near Sinj at the age of two, together with his mother.
His first football club was NK Tekstilac where he started as a midfileder, but thanks to his versatility, he also played as defender and winger before moving to a a centre forward position. He is grateful to his first coach Slaven Lakic for his support to keep playing football.
Mastelic then joined NK Junak's Youth Academy before coming to Hajduk in 2012.
He is now having regular appearances for Hajduk II and he scored three goals in the last two matches. In the 5:0 victory against Mosor, he scored two goals in the first half, while in the following match against NK Jadran Ploce he scored the only goal for new three points for Hajduk.
Hajduk II coach Marijo Osibov can be satisfied with his current contribution to the team as he scored seven goals in 14 rounds of Third HNL South.
When asked about his teammates, the young striker said:
"I'm on good terms with all of them, we are a true team on the pitch but there are some players that I'm friends with, such as Kristijan Puljic, Ante Srsen, David Domej and Josip Bender."
Mastelic says that being a striker in the Third League at the age of 19 is not easy.
"Everyone is motivated in the games against Hajduk, it can be really hard for us, especially on away matches. Other teams have experienced defenders that know how to make up for their lack of physical condition. I was on loan in the Second HNL and I have to say it was much easier to play that league."
Every boy in Dalmatia dreams about wearing a white Hajduk number 9 jersey and Ivan is wearing it in Hajduk II. He is now very close to the first team,dedicated to football and his family supports him.
