A nation of just two million people, Slovenia have already punched above their weight to secure a place at this FIFA World Cup™. When one considers that they knocked out Poland, Czech Republic and, finally, Russia - population 142 million – to take their place in South Africa, the achievement becomes near-miraculous. Yet 2010 is, in fact, this fledgling football nation's second appearance on the game's biggest stage, and they are determined to continue defying the odds when they square up to the world's best.<\/P>
The road to South Africa<\/STRONG><\/P> When the Preliminary Draw was made, most observers envisaged Group 3 being dominated by Czech Republic and Poland, two teams who had successfully qualified for both Germany 2006 and UEFA EURO 2008. As it was, the anticipated favourites melted into the background as the section developed into an enthralling two-way battle between Slovenia and Slovakia.<\/P> The Slovenians' success was based on a defence that was arguably the meanest in the entire European Zone. True, the Netherlands just edged them in statistical terms, but Bert van Marwijck's side also played two games fewer than a Slovenia team who conceded just four times in 10 group matches. Indeed, Matjaz Kek's outsiders took their bid for top spot down to the final day, only to be denied when Slovakia – a team they had beaten home and away – somehow dug out a 1-0 win away to Poland.<\/P> Despite the Slovenians' impressive efforts, it was clear that Russia could barely contain their glee being paired with them in play-offs, with Alexander Kerzhakov among those describing it as “a favourable draw” for Guus Hiddink's team. How wrong they were. Everything looked to be adhering to the expected script when the Russians raced into a two-goal lead in Moscow, but their unheralded visitors refused to lie down and set up a thrilling return meeting when Nejc Pecnik fired home with just two minutes of the first leg remaining. The stage was set, and Slovenia rose to the occasion with a performance in Maribor worthy of any arena, one justly rewarded by a decisive Zlatko Dedic strike that secured one of the great qualifying upsets of recent years.<\/P>","622EB7B4B85B2C76":" First international:<\/STRONG> Slovenia 0 - 1 Croatia (ngày 19\/6\/1991)<\/P> Biggest win:<\/STRONG> Oman 0–7 Slovenia (8 February 1999)<\/P> Biggest defeat:<\/STRONG> 5–0 Slovenia (12 October 2002)<\/P> Top scorer:<\/STRONG> Zlatko Zahovi\u010d (35)<\/P> Most caps:<\/STRONG> Zlatko Zahovi\u010d (80)<\/P>","66B628A331EE3B62":"27.58","B850B84A81F37F05F4386A810BC6107CF078F37712465C6A":"1920","E0A04148ADEEA21E":"http:\/\/www.nzs.si","DE0C7E7350A48DF5A65F90F776C48D66":"NK Rijeka","C403D9D9F071ACF5":"106","FBAF2B9B8402EC60":"92310","E6C7E9F1C9CF42CA43917444E7095BC4":"2018-11-27","411CCFA197052F93":"Slovenia","E0F6EEE10E22199909912E9167EBFDA2":"Slovenia","55ED8B411B9B6085":"","7E907563BF179508":"nzs@nzs.si","2EBB7B469EDB7E39":"Matjaz Kek","7E5D3E774B9EC62B":"Ljubljana","5D47EACB4D5E6DAA3CEC66553FE0120E":"","8C36798E00E0D688B6705FB6F02CF010":"67","C0939111B6B9B2A43FCCB75CD7645021":"Slovenia","C08EDA0A226BF5BFC211B6FCDAE25C17":"Nogometna zveza Slovenije , Cerinova 4 P.O.Box 3986 LJUBLJANA - 1001","8A2C437DD6BF07ECBF73DA968D3B75C4":"Matjaz Kek","D94224B0718FDBA6500EEB9BC8E208DC":"1961-9-9","63D5A09C1F729528628C60E02F0396E1":" FIFA World Cup appearances:<\/STRONG> 2 (2002, 2010)<\/P> EURO Cup appearances:<\/STRONG> 1 (2000)<\/P>","4DFD3563356F21B8":"1","9BA4801895A8DFD49438954196B52718":"","2134628892B06B90":"Slovenia","4406E48704A97D69D6728A5D009266729A239ADB920A5D02":"1","60DC9D976694DF52":"1","5FF2086A93BB2EE023D0558B503D08D2":"Slovenia","4406E48704A97D6900ACBB46602769C2":"0","E1D5C635E9B8B544CDBA4735F8E03DC0":"","2775A0F6CDE5FA9FEBFF51A9CD3C0BB9":"NK Rijeka,Al-Ahli Saudi FC,Slovenia,NK Maribor","D1518711AEB23972F2EDEC88D48D85B0":"","5A3E8B25A329ABB4785C62D37B63DE94":" Club career<\/STRONG>
<\/SPAN>Kek started his professional football career at his home club Maribor in 1979, before moving to the Austrian club Spittal\/Drau in 1984, where he spent 4 seasons. He then transferred to another Austrian club, GAK of the Austrian Bundesliga where he played for 5 years. After that he returned to Maribor, where from 1995 to 1999 he won 3 Slovenian league titles, before retiring. He spent most of his career playing in defense, mostly in the centre back position and was known for his leadership abilities.
Managerial career<\/STRONG>
After finishing his career as a player, Kek stayed at Maribor, serving as an assistant coach for one season, before being appointed manager in 2000. He immediately won the league title in the 2000–01 season. Under his guidance the team won the league again in 2003. In 2006 he was the coach of the Slovenian under-15 and under-16 national football teams. On 3 January 2007, Kek was appointed manager of the Slovenia national team, which he led to qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup after beating Russia in the play-offs.<\/P>","e_index":9};