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MARIBOR, Slovenia (AP) -Slovenia scored two late goals in a minute to break Northern Ireland's resistance with a 2-0 victory in World Cup qualifying on Saturday.
Milivoje Novakovic scored in the 84th after connecting with Valter Birsa's cross at the far post.
Zlatan Ljubijankic quickly made the closing stages more comfortable for the home side when he powered past Jonny Evans before slotting past Maik Taylor.
Slovenia thought a penalty should have been awarded in the 18th when Zlatko Dedic was fouled by Chris Baird.
Steven Davis came close twice for the visitors, striking across the face of goal in the 28th and watching a shot get deflected over in the 34th.
David Healy tried to chip Slovenia goalkeeper Samir Handanovic in the 58th, but the ball floated over.
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Lineups:
Slovenia: Samir Handanovic, Miso Brecko, Andrej Komac, Marko Suler, Bostjan Cesar, Mirnes Sisic (Valter Birsa, 81), Robert Koren, Milivoje Novakovic, Zlatko Dedic (Zlatan Ljubijankic, 69), Andraz Kirm (Darijan Matic, 90), Branko Ilic.
Northern Ireland: Maik Taylor, Gareth Mcauley, George McCartney, Jonny Evans, Christopher Baird, Keith Gillespie, Steven Davis, David Healy, Kyle Lafferty, Grant McCann (Ryan Mcgivern, 73), Aaron Hughes.
