In a tightly contested match between NK Istra 1961 and HNK Gorica, it was NK Istra 1961 who managed to secure a narrow 1-0 victory. The decisive moment came in the second half when they broke the deadlock just before the 46-minute mark. Surprisingly, despite being out-cornered 6 to 2, NK Istra capitalized effectively on their opportunity, demonstrating their efficiency in converting rare chances against the run of play.

Both teams showed a similar level of discipline and aggression, evidenced by the relatively similar foul count: 11 for the home team and 9 for the away side. The yellow card tally, however, tipped in favor of Istra with Gorica collecting two bookings, both in the first half, compared to Istra's three. This suggests Gorica's attempts to assert control early on but at the cost of discipline, which may have led to a more cautious approach in the later stages.

A crucial aspect of NK Istra’s win was their defensive cohesiveness, managing to maintain their composure under pressure with only one offside ruling against them. Meanwhile, Gorica, despite enjoying more set-piece opportunities through corner kicks, failed to break through an organized Istra defense. As the match unfolded, Istra's ability to withstand these set pieces without conceding emphasized their strong defensive framework which evidently frustrated their opponents.

In summary, NK Istra's resilience and efficiency in critical moments were the standout factors in this encounter. Their goal immediately after half-time shifted momentum in their favor, and their stout defense ensured that HNK Gorica's multiple set pieces went unconverted. This result underlines the importance of turning defensive solidity into attacking efficiency, particularly when play opportunities are limited.

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