Slovenia are a surprise addition to the 2010 World Cup and may be considered as a nation sure to go home early, probably in the group stages, but they seem perfectly capable of springing a surprise or two before their tournament ends. They do not possess any world class players and have few household names, but they do have great team spirit and are well organized. Slovenia played their first match as recently as 1992 as they were previously part of Yugoslavia. With a small population and limited resources, they are punching well above their weight in international football terms.
As they are only a baby in international football terms, they have only been involved in a handful of qualifying campaigns. They failed to make it to the 1998 and 2006 World Cups but they did manage to qualify for the 2002 tournament. They had a disappointing time of it as they lost all three games, conceding seven goals. Their dismal tournament was topped of by a row between the coach Srecko Katanec and star player Zlatko Zahovic (the top scorer in Slovenian history with 35 international goals).
In qualification for this World Cup, they managed to hold off the Czech Republic and finish in second place behind rivals Slovakia. The draw seemed to be unkind to them as they had to face the might of Russia over two legs with no one giving them a realistic chance of progress. This seemed to be justified as they trailed 2-0 in Russia and looked in dire trouble during the match. Russia missed several chances to finish off the tie, and Slovakia hit them with a late goal to emerge with a creditable 2-1 defeat. They then defeated the Russians 1-0 in Slovakia, holding off a desperate late Russian charge to qualify for only their second World Cup on the away goals rule.
Slovenia have been matched with England, USA and Algeria in Group C. Although they don’t have any superstars and many of their players ply their trade with unheralded European club sides, they showed more than enough skill, determination and spirit in dumping out a top class Russian side to suggest that they will give the USA and Algeria a hard fight for second spot, assuming that England live up to their billing and win the group.