Slovenia notched their first win of their World Cup campaign against Slovakia in Maribor on Wednesday night.
The home side were looking to build on their opening 1-1 draw away to Poland on Saturday and were in the lead after 22 minutes when Novakovic finished a flowing counter-attacking move.Slovenia were in control for the majority of the match and they were eventually rewarded for their dominance eight minutes from time when Novakovic struck again.
And while Martin Jakubko immediately pulled a goal back for Slovakia a minute later, the home side got the result they deserved to sit level at the top of Group Four alongside Poland on four points after two games.
Poland had goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski to thank as his penalty save in the opening minutes sent his side on their way to a 2-0 victory in San Marino.
The Arsenal reserve keeper thwarted Andy Selva in the third minute and Poland capitalised on their good fortune with a goal in each half from Euzebiusz Smolarek (36) and Robert Lewandowski (68).
Poland went ahead shortly before half-time through Smolarek's close-range strike, the striker slotting home after Lukasz Piszczek's strike was parried into his path by San Marino keeper Aldo Simoncini.
Smolarek had a hand in the second goal too, hitting a post with a fierce shot midway through the second half which rebounded back out to Lewandowski who had the simplest of finishes into an empty goal.
Northern Ireland secured their first point against Czech Republic with a goalless draw despite the loss of the influential Steve Davis in the run-up to the match.
Rangers midfielder Davis left their training base and returned to his home in England to deal with a personal matter.
It was a blow for manager Nigel Worthington, given his side were facing a side ranked eighth in the world. However, the province achieved a gritty draw in the Group Three encounter at rain-lashed Windsor Park.
by espnstar.com
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