Saturday 3 September 2011

Slovenia 1-2 Estonia


Slovenia 1-2 Estonia

Estonia put their recent run of bad form behind them to score a vital win over Slovenia in Ljubljana last night that still leaves them with a chance of a playoff place in Euro 2012 qualifying Group C. Estonia face Northern Ireland in Tallinn on Tuesday night in a match that could end both sides hopes of second place. Their final game is the return fixture in Belfast on 7th October. Serbia must remain favourites for second spot though, as they have a game in hand and face the Faroe Islands on Tuesday night. How Estonia must now wish they'd taken three points in Torshavn in June.

Konstantin Vassiljev, who has spent the past few years playing his club football in Slovenia, put Estonia ahead from the penalty spot just before the half hour after Slovenian goalkeeper Samir Handanovic had brought down Sergei Zenjov. Slovenia looked to have rescued a point late on when Tim Matavz tapped home from close range, but Estonia had time to conjure an 81st minute winner when substitute Ats Purje turned well on the edge of the penalty area and fired home. It was Estonia's first win since beating Uruguay in March and their first goal since Vassiljev's late equaliser against Serbia, also in March.

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