Petko
03-28-2001, 09:37 PM
Slovenia v Yugoslavia: Late goal gives Slovenia draw against Yugoslavia
Slovenia salvaged a 1-1 draw against Yugoslavia in their World Cup group one qualifier on Wednesday thanks to a 25-metre free-kick in injury time from their top scorer Zlatko Zahovic. That gave Slovenia a share of the points after Savo Milosevic -- who ended the night in hospital -- had given Yugoslavia a 32nd minute lead, but they slipped down from second to third place as a result of the draw. Russia lead the standings with 10, followed by Swiss (8), Slovenia (7) and Yugoslavia (5).
Unlike their epic, thrilling 3-3 draw in Euro 2000 wich saw Yugoslavia came back from 0-3 down with 23 minutes left to save the game, this was a rather lacklustre one played out mainly as a midfield stalemate.
The one moment of note in the first half came after 32 minutes when Milosevic put Yugoslavia ahead from close range. Despite its lack of incident, it was a typically robust and pasionate derby which saw Milosevic and Slovenian defender Aleksander Knavs concussed. Both were taken to hospital overnight for observation, but doctors said there was no fear of any serious long-term injury to either player.
Slovenian coach Srecko Katanec said afterwards: "I am happy with one point considering the fact that many of my players do not play much in their clubs. I was surprised to see the Yugoslavs play so defensively -- and so smart."
Yugoslav coach Milovan Doric said he was satisfied with the performance of his team although they let in a last-minute equaliser. "Of course I am sorry about that, but I am not sad." Slovenia was the first country to break away from former Yugoslavia in 1991 and meetings between the two countries in sport are still rare and considered high risk events.
Although Slovenian fans do not have a violent history matches against Serbian teams in pre-1991 Yugoslav league always kept Slovenian police busy. Despite the fears by police there was no major fan violence in the stadium nor in the streets before or after the match.
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Slovenia salvaged a 1-1 draw against Yugoslavia in their World Cup group one qualifier on Wednesday thanks to a 25-metre free-kick in injury time from their top scorer Zlatko Zahovic. That gave Slovenia a share of the points after Savo Milosevic -- who ended the night in hospital -- had given Yugoslavia a 32nd minute lead, but they slipped down from second to third place as a result of the draw. Russia lead the standings with 10, followed by Swiss (8), Slovenia (7) and Yugoslavia (5).
Unlike their epic, thrilling 3-3 draw in Euro 2000 wich saw Yugoslavia came back from 0-3 down with 23 minutes left to save the game, this was a rather lacklustre one played out mainly as a midfield stalemate.
The one moment of note in the first half came after 32 minutes when Milosevic put Yugoslavia ahead from close range. Despite its lack of incident, it was a typically robust and pasionate derby which saw Milosevic and Slovenian defender Aleksander Knavs concussed. Both were taken to hospital overnight for observation, but doctors said there was no fear of any serious long-term injury to either player.
Slovenian coach Srecko Katanec said afterwards: "I am happy with one point considering the fact that many of my players do not play much in their clubs. I was surprised to see the Yugoslavs play so defensively -- and so smart."
Yugoslav coach Milovan Doric said he was satisfied with the performance of his team although they let in a last-minute equaliser. "Of course I am sorry about that, but I am not sad." Slovenia was the first country to break away from former Yugoslavia in 1991 and meetings between the two countries in sport are still rare and considered high risk events.
Although Slovenian fans do not have a violent history matches against Serbian teams in pre-1991 Yugoslav league always kept Slovenian police busy. Despite the fears by police there was no major fan violence in the stadium nor in the streets before or after the match.
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