ZEMUN, Serbia (Interstat) — Dimitrije Tabakovic scored in the 80th minute to give Zemun a 1-0 victory over Macva in a Serbian Super Liga match on Friday, providing the decisive moment in a game that was otherwise short on clear scoring chances. Zemun protected the narrow lead through the closing minutes, while Macva could not find an equalizer despite late pressure and a series of stoppages. The win gave the home side a much-needed result and left the visitors still seeking a breakthrough in the competition.

Tabakovic’s goal was the only one of the match. Godswill Vadze supplied the assist, and the pair made the most of their time on the field. Tabakovic played 19 minutes and scored once, while Vadze played 29 minutes and recorded one assist. The goal arrived after a long spell in which both teams struggled to turn possession into meaningful attempts, and it proved enough for Zemun to claim the full reward. Macva pushed forward in search of a response, but the visitors were unable to test the home defense often enough in the final third.

The match was also marked by a heavy flow of yellow cards. Zemun’s Spremo M. was booked in the 21st minute, and teammate Stoimenovski O. followed in the 29th. Macva’s Djordjic D. was cautioned in the 50th, Zemun’s Knezevic S. in the 58th, Macva’s Stevanovic N. in the 63rd and Zemun’s Meskhi M. in the 65th. Macva received two more bookings late in the second half, with Drezgic U. cautioned in the 82nd minute and Tojcic K. in the 84th. The cards interrupted the rhythm of the contest and underlined the physical nature of the encounter as both sides fought for position.

Both teams turned to their benches as the game wore on. Zemun made two changes at halftime, when Petrovic D. and Saric M. were replaced. Macva made a change in the 58th minute, with Vrastanovic B. replaced, and Zemun followed with another substitution in the 61st when Belakovic N. came off. Macva made a double change in the 66th, replacing Djordjic D. and Ergelas M., while Zemun replaced Dovedan N. in the 71st. Macva made two more changes in the 83rd, with Knezevic D. and Vidakov M. replaced, and Zemun made its final change in the 89th when Kalat N. came off. The adjustments did little to change the overall pattern, though Zemun’s late organization helped it hold on.

The result moved Zemun’s season record in the competition to 1 win, 9 losses and 3 draws, and its all-competitions record to the same 1-9-3. Macva’s competition record stands at 2 wins, 7 losses and 4 draws, matching its all-competitions mark of 2-7-4. Zemun entered the match after consecutive defeats and used the home fixture to steady its campaign, while Macva remained without a victory despite having drawn its previous two matches. The visitors had spells of possession but lacked the final pass and finishing touch needed to cancel out Tabakovic’s strike.

Zemun next faces Partizan, while Macva is set to host Crvena zvezda. The scheduling gives both clubs little time to dwell on the result, though Zemun will travel with the confidence of a clean sheet and a late winning goal. Both teams will look to build on different emotions from this match, with Zemun hoping the late winner can provide a platform and Macva seeking to convert competitive performances into points. The match itself will be remembered primarily for Tabakovic’s finish and Vadze’s assist, the two moments that separated the sides on a night when defenses generally held firm and scoring opportunities were scarce.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Zemun 1, Macva 1, and Interstat’s ELO system had given Zemun a 56.9 percent probability to win. The actual outcome followed a different path as Zemun claimed the 1-0 victory.