Man Utd striker Benjamin Sesko represented Slovenia during the international break but was involved in two stalemates.
Manchester United striker Benjamin Sesko is facing the prospect of not playing at next summer’s World Cup.
Slovenia drew 0-0 with Switzerland in a World Cup qualifier on Monday night, meaning they sit third in Group B. Switzerland occupies the top spot in the group and Kosovo are second.
Switzerland have 10 points and are expected to win the group when the remaining two qualifying fixtures are played next month. Kosovo have seven points and Slovenia three. They have to play each other during the November international break, which will have an impact on who advances to the play-offs.
Slovenia played out two goalless draws against Kosovo and Switzerland this month. They face Kosovo at home and Sweden away next month to decide their fate in Group B.
Sesko played 90 minutes in both of Slovenia’s matches during the October international break, but the 22-year-old was unable to find the net after breaking his duck for United with two goals in his last two games.
Slovenia manager, Matjaz Kek, criticised his side’s failure to score in both games, saying after the Switzerland draw: “A realistic result in a difficult and very dynamic, competitive match with quite a few mistakes on both sides.
“But when you hear about the result of the second match, you realise what we lost in the second half of the match in Kosovo. It bothers me that we didn’t score a goal in three qualifying matches.
“We had chances throughout the game, but the last pass was not precise enough. There is no victory without a goal, despite our great desire, we went a long way, we were tactically well positioned.
“Right now I’m only thinking about the next match. First of all, we have to do our job, enough thinking about what we should do or what someone else is doing. This team was at a high level in terms of approach, but we lack a little determination in the last 30 meters before the goal.”
Speaking after the 0-0 against Kosovo, Kek said: “We had our opponent under control in a way we haven’t had any for a long time, but I am missing a bit more of a killer instinct in the penalty area.”
Slovenia have only appeared at the World Cup twice – in 2002 and 2010 – being eliminated in the group stage on both occasions. Switzerland and Sweden were the favourites to progress from Group B.
Sesko got off to a slow start in Manchester after signing from German side RB Leipzig, but he followed his first goal for United against Brentford with another against Sunderland.
Speaking after Sunderland, Sesko was asked whether fans have seen the best of him and responded: “No, not yet. There’s loads to come. I’m still getting used to it more and more to read the players, to be connected with them even more. I believe I can be even better and I will try to show that.”
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