Slovenia round-up: Koper stay in touch

NK Koper closed the gap on Slovenian First Division leaders NK Olimpija and NK Publikum at the weekend in a thrilling 4-3 defeat of NK Dravograd.

Olimpija leaders
Olimpija, meanwhile, stayed two points clear at the summit after a scoreless draw with NK Publikum in a hard-fought top-of-the-table clash with few meaningful chances.

See-saw encounter
But Koper’s match proved the most dramatic entertainment, with Zarko Jelicic the inspiration for the visitors, who had trailed from the 20th minute when Matej Rebol fired the hosts ahead.

Lead restored
The striker equalised on 74 minutes but Roman Plesec restored the home side's advantage a minute later and Oskar Drobne looked to have won the match when he made it 3-1 a minute later.

Jelicic winner
Koper, however, simply refused to lie down and Bekim Kapic pulled one back on 78 minutes, then Manuel Persic levelled five minutes from time. Jelicic capped an impressive performance with a winner at the death.

Zezelj last word
NK Ljubljana were convincing 4-1 winners at home to ERA Smartno with Franci Fridl (6), Marko Kmetec (35) and Ilija Kitic (38) firing the home side into a 3-0 lead before the break. Ante Simundza threatened a comeback when he reduced the deficit five minutes after the restart but Drazen Zezelj had the last word with the fourth five minutes from time.

Mujanovic double
Fourth-placed NK Maribor were held to a 0-0 draw at home by last-placed NK Mura and Marko Vogric fired in a 43rd-minute winner as NK Primorje beat NK Gorica away. Mid-table NK Rudar took maximum points in a 3-1 win over rock-bottom NK Korotan, Amel Mujanovic scoring twice.