Slovenia round-up: Prosinecki wields influence

Former Croatia international Robert Prosinecki was on target for NK Olimpija Ljubljana as the capital club extended their lead at the summit of the Slovenian First League thanks to a 3-0 defeat of NK Maribor.

Sucker punch
Prosinecki opened the scoring for the visitors on the stroke of half-time, breaking the home side's stubborn resistance. And if Maribor's morale had been dented by the sucker punch just before the break, their chances of a comeback were killed off in the 72nd minute when Zikica Vuksanovic put the ball past his own goalkeeper. Blaz Puc had the final word six minutes from time.

Comfortable win
NK Publikum moved second thanks to a 2-0 defeat of NK Gorica with goals from Robert Koran in the 22nd and Dominik Bresnjak on 76 minutes.

Surprise victory
NK Ljubljana secured a surprise 2-1 victory over NK Koper, who slid to third place. Slovenian top scorer Marko Kmetec gave the home side a 1-0 lead in the ninth minute but Patrik Ipavec levelled close to the interval. Ilija Kitic’s header in the 67th minute made sure of the points.

Three wins
Elsewhere, NK Mura beat NK Korotan 3-2, NK Dravograd overcame NK Rudar 2-0 and NK Smartno’s solitary goal was enough to earn maximum points against NK Primorje.