Slovenia forced to settle for play-offs
Wednesday 14 October 2009
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A comfortable 3-0 win in San Marino ensured Slovenia secured a play-off spot and a fourth successive Group 3 victory but they were denied an automatic FIFA World Cup berth by Slovakia.
Second spot
Matjaž Kek's side began the day two points adrift of Slovakia and that is how they ended it as Poland lost 1-0 at home to the section winners. They did confirm second place ahead of the Czech Republic and Northern Ireland, however, thanks to goals from Milivoje Novakovič, Dalibor Stevanovič and Marko Suler.
Few chances
San Marino defended in numbers but were undone in the 24th minute when Novakovič converted following a corner. The visitors were ineffective for much of the contest thereafter and only made the game safe midway through the second half when Bojan Jokič burst down the left and teed up Stevanovič. Suler sealed the victory with nine minutes remaining to send Slovenia into their second World Cup play-off, having overcome Romania to qualify for the 2002 finals.
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