Maribor without a win for the second time in a row: Domžale score in Ljudski vrt, the first point for new coach Dusan Kosić
While the match between Koper and Rogaska was sensational
fell into the water
and will almost certainly be decided at the green table, there were no problems with the line-up of the two teams in the Ljudski vrt. So
Maribor
and Domžale followed the rules of the Football Association of Slovenia, and then put on an interesting show on the pitch, which ended without a winner. Maribor drew for the second time in a row and Dusan Kosic won his first point as Domžale coach.
Sometimes VAR gives you something, sometimes it takes something away. This time he gave a lot to Maribor. Many would say even too much… But VAR is VAR and the technology cannot be questioned, although it is true that opinions were divided even after watching the footage. What are we talking about? About Maribor’s first goal on Saturday night in Ljudski vrt. Just before the end of the first half, Josip Iličić scored from the 11th… But the 11th-minute penalty came after the video was played. Before that, Rade Obrenovic opts for a free kick from the edge of the penalty area. Iličić was ready. And he waited, waited, waited. And he got a shot from the white spot. Obrenović judged from the video that Danijel Sturm, a former Maribor player, committed the foul on Marin Laušić in the penalty area. In fact, everything was happening on the edge of it, the millimetres…
It was Danijel Sturm, who conjured up an 11th-minute penalty, who scored the only goal for Domžale. They were a thorn in Maribor’s side in the first half, but crowned a good performance in the ninth minute. Šturm has signed his name to a true masterpiece. Although he received the ball on the far left edge of the pitch, he opted for a diagonal shot towards goal. Well, he might have wanted to pass it, but no matter what, the ball ended up where it’s sweetest – in the net. Šturm sent the ball over Ažbe Jug and scored a really great goal.
Domžale had a few more chances in the first half, but Jug could not be beaten. Maribor was better in the second half, Domžale was hot in front of goal a couple of times, and just before the break VAR took something away from Maribor. Something? Well, an eleven-metre penalty! Rade Obrenovic has already pointed to a white card for Nermin Hodžić playing with his hand after a shot by newcomer Behar Feta. But the footage showed a different story, Hodžić headed the ball into the corner and Obrenović had no choice but to overturn the decision. A golden opportunity to win the game floated away, and it ended 1-1.
