Slovenia round-up: Maribor stumble in Celje

NK Maribor started their title defence with a 3-3 draw away at NK Publikum.

Early lead
Maribor, who will be looking for their seventh successive 1. SNL title this season, were ahead after just four minutes through Miha Golub, but they were pegged back three minutes later by a goal from Publikum’s Andrej Kvas.

Two for Duro
The champions looked to be heading for a comfortable win as Samir Duro scored twice in the space of four minutes to give them a 3-1 half-time lead. He was on target from the penalty spot after 36 minutes and scored a second from open play four minutes later.

Seslar equaliser
However the game was turned on its head in the second half after Golub was dismissed after 72 minutes and Publikum were quickly snapping at their opponents heels, pulling a goal back through Dominik Bersjak just a minute later, and equalising with seven minutes to go through Simon Seslar.

Rudar ride on
NK Rudar Velenje also took full advantage of a red card decision to secure a 3-0 win against MNZ Ljubljana Amateur. Andjelkovic lasted barely 15 minutes before he was sent off and Rudar made no mistake against ten men. NK Koper’s 1-0 win against NK Mura was rather less dramatic, with Manuel Persic scoring the only goal of the game at the Bonfika stadium after 66 minutes.