Olimpija’s youth team has played new championship matches. The green and whites have recorded two wins and a painful defeat this time. Despite everything, the juniors and cadets remain in a double battle for the title of national champions.
In an extremely important match in the fight for the top spot, the Dragons deservedly took the lead in the 63rd minute, when Oskar Ivanjko Vidmar scored. The home team then managed to equalize from a penalty spot, and just before the end, they took the lead from a corner kick that should not have been given due to the previous incorrect execution of the offside. The third goal for the home team came in extra time from a “clean” penalty kick. There are four more matches scheduled in the EON Next Gen League until the end of the championship, and the gap behind the leader Maribor is four points.
Head coach of the youth team Boštjan Miklič: “I don’t think we started the game the way we agreed. The first half wasn’t right for us. Mura didn’t show much either. We started the second half more determinedly. We went for the win, had several dangerous finishes and controlled the game. We created some good chances. I think we deserved the lead. The goal conceded by Mura from a clear offside position didn’t stop us. We persisted, attacked, and were closer to victory until the referee stepped in. I have nothing to blame the boys for. They gave their all. We really didn’t deserve to lose. There are still four games left in the championship and we will fight for the title as long as possible. I would like to add that this is the second crucial game after the derby with Maribor, when the harshest penalty was awarded in extra time for the final 1:1, where the referee played his part, and therefore it’s difficult to say anything sensible.” “It’s not about complaining about the referees, but about situations that directly affect the outcome of the match. But in the game, we know that the national title is at stake.”
The cadets defeated Dravograd by a large margin in Jama. Seven goals were scored in the opponent’s net. In the first half, Mateo Aćimović scored twice (20′, 39′) and Seadin Tafoski (34′). Žiga Pečjak (61′), Tian Varmaz Plava (66′, 80′) and Svit Hočevar (83′) outwitted the visiting defense in the rest of the game. With a game less, the cadets of Olimpija are only two points behind the leaders of Celje! On Saturday, a match against Gorica will be scheduled in Jama.
The U15 team was 2-0 better than their peers from Dravograd. Egon Ljubičić (36′) and Mark Kovše (73′) were accurate in Jama. The green and white team thus reached 31 points in the current season, which places them in 9th place in the U15 West league before the end of the championship. Along with the cadets, the older boys will also host Goričane on April 27th.
