Slovenia squad unchanged for WC Russia playoff

Slovenia coach Matjaz Kek decided to retain the same squad Thursday for the World Cup playoff against Russia this month.

Kek's 21-man squad for the Nov. 14 and 18 games rendered no surprises Thursday, with backup goalkeeper Aleksander Seliga the only addition from its previous qualifiers.

Slovenia finished second in qualifying Group 3 and is trying to reach its second World Cup.

Following is the squad leaving for Moscow on Thursday:

Goalkeepers: Samir Handanovic (Udinese), Jasmin Handanovic (Mantova), Aleksander Seliga (Sparta Rotterdam).

Defenders: Miso Brecko (Koeln), Bostjan Cesar (Grenoble), Branko Ilic (Moscow), Bojan Jokic (Sochaux), Matej Mavric Rozic (Koblenz), Marko Suler (Gent).

Midfielders: Valter Birsa (Auxerre), Andraz Kirm (Wisla Krakow), Andrej Komac (Maccabi Tel Aviv), Robert Koren (WBA), Rene Krhin (Inter Milan), Aleksander Radosavljevic (Tom Tomsk), Dalibor Stevanovic (Vitesse), Anton Zlogar (Omonia).

Forwards: Zlatko Dedic (Bochum), Zlatan Ljubijankic (Gent), Milivoje Novakovic (Koeln), Nejc Pecnik (Nacional).

Source: Xinhua