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Slovenia - YUGOSLAVIA 1-1 (0-1)
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| Lazetic (left, YUG) shields the ball from Rudonja |
Ljubljana, SLOVENIA, March 28 (agencies) - 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.
It was nothing more than Slovenia deserved after dominating possession. The Yugoslavs always looked dangerous on the break, with Predrag Djordjevic a constant threat in midfield.
Yugoslavia took the lead on 32 minutes, laying the ball right for Nikola Lazetic. He broke into the box, and crossed for Savo Milosevic to head home.
Ales Ceh (left, Slovenia)
and Mateja Kezman fight for the ball
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Zlatko Zahovic wehipped home a free-kick in injury-time to earn Slovenia a point.
Duljaj committed the foul, and when Zahovic stepped up there was an air of inevitability that Yugoslavia's tormentor in Euro 2000 would again strike. Sure enough, he hit the free-kick over the wall, and beyond a flat-footed Kocic.
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.
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After the match
"We were very close to victory.We got a good result, but we were punished for missing a lot of chances. Without Jokanovic and Milosevic late on, we had no height, so I'm not sorry for the draw. The only problem was that there was nobody to finish off Mihajlovic's free-kicks." (Yugoslavia coach Milovan Djoric).
"During the match Yugoslavs had plenty of space and we were the weaker team. 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." (Slovenia coach Srecko Katanec)
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2002 World Cup qualifier, Group One, Ljubljana, SLOVENIA, March 28
SLOVENIA - YUGOSLAVIA 1-1 (0-1). Scorers: Milosevic (32) for Yugoslavia and Zahovic (90) for Slovenia. Stadium in Ljubljana.. Attendance: 9,000. Referee: Dick Jol (Netherlands). Booked: Gajser, Ceh, Vugdalic (Slovenia), Jokanovic, Djordjevic, Djukic and Krstajic (Yugoslavia).
SLOVENIA: Simeunovic, Gajser (Acimovic), Vugdalic, Bulajic, Knavs, Novak, Ceh, Osterc (Cimerotic), Zahovic, Pavlin (Pavlovic), Rudonja. Coach: Srecko Katanec.
YUGOSLAVIA Kocic, Obradovic, Stefanovic, Jokanovic (Duljaj), Djukic, Krstajic, Lazetic, Djordjevic, Milosevic (Ivic), Kezman (Drulic), Mihajlovic. Coach: Milovan Djoric.
*****
2002 World Cup group one qualifiers - previous results: Switzerland - Russia 0-1, Luxembourg - YUGOSLAVIA 0-2, Faroe Island - Slovenia 2-2, Switzerland - Faroe Islands 5-1, Luxembourg - Slovenia 1-2, Russia - Luxembourg 3-0, Slovenia - Switzerland 2-2, YUGOSLAVIA - Switzerland 1-1, Russia - Slovenia 1-1, Luxembourg - Faroe Islands 0-2, Slovenia - YUGOSLAVIA 1-1, Russia - Faroe Islands 1-0, Switzerland - Luxembourg 5-0.
Group One - current standings
G W D L F-A Pts
1. Russia 4 3 1 0 6-1 10
2. Switzerland 5 2 2 1 13-5 8
3. Slovenia 5 1 4 0 8-7 7
4. YUGOSLAVIA 3 1 2 0 4-2 5
5. Faroe Islands 4 1 1 2 5-8 4
6. Luxembourg 5 0 0 5 1-14 0
Next match (April 25): YUGOSLAVIA - Russia.
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