Kopar beat Nafta 2-0 at Stadijon Rajko Stolf on Saturday evening, a result that keeps them in second place while leaving their visitors sixth in the First League SNL standings. The hosts controlled matters from the opening exchanges, with K. Manseri finding the net in the second minute — an early statement that shaped how the rest of the game unfolded. to be fair, Nafta did not simply sit back, but Kopar's early advantage proved decisive.
That first goal came quickly, and Kopar's intensity never dropped. Nafta's K. Lavrencic received a yellow card in the 21st minute, while B. Negouai went off the same way in the 43rd, suggesting the visitors were struggling to contain the home side's pressure. Kopar made a change at half-time with L. Rimac, while Nafta brought on three players — A. Ruedl, D. Bangaly and D. Pejicic — at the 64th-minute mark, clearly looking for something different.
The visitors' efforts eventually paid off with a breakthrough, though not in the way they might have hoped. R. Beric doubled Kopar's lead in the 68th minute, and from that point the game was effectively over. Kopar then made three changes at 80 minutes, including bringing on A. Pihler, before substituting their own goalscorer Manseri in the 83rd — a rare recognition for a player who had opened the scoring just over an hour earlier.
The statistics tell a straightforward story. Kopar held 58 per cent possession and registered six shots on target against Nafta's two, with an accuracy rate of 32 per cent compared to 14 per cent for the visitors. and here's the thing, Nafta still managed eight shots off target, showing they kept trying even when the result seemed beyond reach.
What this means in the table is worth noting. Kopar move to 18 points from 10 games, four clear of Nafta on 13 points. The home side have won five, drawn three and lost two, while Nafta's record of four wins, one draw and five defeats suggests they have more to find out this season. Kopar's recent run includes a heavy 1-3 defeat to Olimpija Ljubljana, but this performance felt like a response.
I had backed Kopar to win with 64 per cent confidence before kick-off. by then, the early goal and sustained pressure made that outcome feel inevitable, even if Nafta's attacking intent meant the game was never completely dead. The result puts the hosts in a stronger position as the season progresses.
