Slovenia round-up: Maribor take the reins
Sunday, May 18, 2003
Article summary
NK Maribor climbed into first place in the table as NK Publikum slipped up against NK Šmartno.
Article body
NK Maribor have taken over at the top of the Slovenian First League following a 5-0 victory against NK Davograd.
Rakovic double
Maribor never looked back after a first-half double from Ermin Rakovic - the second a penalty, which was awarded when Amir Karic was brought down in the box. Karic himself added the third midway through the second half and further strikes from Igor Mostarlic and Darko Djukic wrapped up the scoring.
Javronik opener
Maribor went top by virtue of NK Publikum's stunning 4-1 defeat at the hands of NK Šmartno, for whom Slavko Javronik opened the scoring on 36 minutes. Emir Smajlovic doubled the lead two minutes after half-time and although Marko Kriznik pulled a goal back for the displaced leaders, Javronik's second goal on 75 minutes put the game beyond them and Ante Simundza sealed the victory seven minutes later.
Mura victory
Elsewhere, NK Mura won 1-0 against NK Rudar Velenje and NK Ljubljana edged out NK Primorje by the odd goal in three, while NK Koper and NK Olimpija drew 1-1.
