Soccer: Star trio head Slovenia squad

11 May, 2010 03:00 PM2 mins to read

West Bromwich Albion midfielder Robert Koren, Bochum forward Zlatko Dedic and Udinese goalkeeper Samir Handanovic headed Slovenia's 30-man preliminary World Cup squad on Tuesday.

Grenoble defender Bostjan Cesar, Wisla Krakow midfielder Andraz Kirm and Cologne forward Milivoj Novakovic are Slovenia coach Matjaz Kek's other core players who helped the nation reach the tournament for the second time.

Kek said all of the players are healthy and ready, as are the team's facilities in South Africa.

"I'm particularly happy about the last report from South Africa where the training headquarters of the Slovenian team, including an excellent pitch, are already waiting," Kek said in a statement.

The team qualified for the World Cup by ousting Russia in a big upset in the November playoffs on away goals. With a population of two million, Slovenia will be the smallest nation at the June 11-July 11 tournament in South Africa.

Slovenia is in Group C with Algeria, United States and England.

Kek has to announce his final squad by June 1. The team will play a friendly against New Zealand on June 4.

Slovenia's Squad:

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

Defenders: Bojan Jokic (Chievo Verona), Marko Suler (Ghent), Bostjan Cesar (Grenoble), Branko Ilic (Lokomotiv Moscow), Matej Mavric-Rozic (Koblenz), Dejan Kelhar (Cercle Brugge), Elvedin Dzinic (Maribor), Miso Brecko (Cologne), Aleksandar Rajcevic (Koper), Suad Filekovic (Maribor).

Midfielders: Andraz Kirm (Wisla Krakow), Andrej Komac (Maccabi Tel-Aviv), Rene Krhin (Inter Milan), Mirnes Sisic (Giannina), Darjan Matic (Rapid Bucharest), Dare Vrsic (Koper), Dalibor Stevanovic (Vitesse Arnhem), Robert Koren (West Bromwich Albion), Aleksander Radosavljevic (Larissa), Valter Birsa (Auxerre).

Forwards: Milivoje Novakovic (Cologne), Zlatko Dedic (Bochum), Zlatan Ljubijankic (Ghent), Nejc Pecnik (Nacional Funchal), Miran Burgic (AIK Solna), Tim Matavz (Groningen).