NK Radomlje U19 edged NK Bravo U19 3-2 in a thrilling Slovenia U19 league encounter on Friday evening, September 18, 2026, at a floodlit venue that witnessed five goals, a late twist, and a crucial three points for the hosts. The win strengthens Radomlje's position in the upper half of the standings while leaving Bravo to reflect on a spirited comeback that ultimately fell just short.

Match Overview

From the first whistle, Radomlje set the tempo. Playing on home soil, the young side pressed high and moved the ball quickly through midfield, forcing Bravo into a series of early defensive clearances. The hosts were rewarded for their aggression with an early goal that settled any nerves and set the tone for an open, end-to-end contest.

Bravo, known for their structured youth setup and technical passing game, gradually grew into the match. The visitors responded with a goal of their own before half-time, but Radomlje restored their advantage shortly after the interval. What followed was a tense, tactical battle that swung one way and then the other, culminating in a dramatic final ten minutes where Bravo pulled one back to make it 3-2, only for Radomlje to hold firm under late pressure.

First Half: Radomlje's Fast Start

The home side needed just over ten minutes to break the deadlock. A quick turnover in midfield released the Radomlje right winger, whose low cross was converted at the near post by striker Luka Zajc for his first of the evening. The goal was met with loud encouragement from the home bench, and Radomlje continued to press, winning several corners in quick succession.

Bravo's equaliser arrived midway through the first half against the run of play. A clever through-ball from midfield split the Radomlje defence, and Bravo's captain and centre-forward, Nik Kovačič, finished calmly past the onrushing goalkeeper. That goal changed the complexion of the game, and for the next fifteen minutes Bravo looked the more composed side, retaining possession and forcing Radomlje to defend deeper.

Bravo's Comeback and the Turning Point

Radomlje regained the lead early in the second half through a set-piece. A whipped free-kick from the left was only partially cleared, and central defender Marko Hribar lashed the loose ball into the roof of the net from twelve yards. The stadium erupted, and the momentum shifted firmly back to the hosts.

Just past the hour mark, Radomlje looked to have put the game beyond doubt when Zajc raced onto a defence-splitting pass and lifted the ball over the advancing goalkeeper for his second goal and a 3-1 lead. However, Bravo refused to fold. The visitors pushed their full-backs higher and began to overload the midfield, and with ten minutes remaining they were rewarded when substitute Jan Oblak (not the goalkeeper) swept home a low cross at the back post to reduce the deficit to 3-2.

That set up a frantic finale. Bravo threw bodies forward, Radomlje dropped into a compact defensive block, and the home goalkeeper made two important saves in stoppage time, tipping a fierce drive over the bar and smothering a close-range effort. The final whistle brought relief and celebration for Radomlje, and a sense of what might have been for Bravo.

Key Moments

• 12' – Goal (Radomlje): Luka Zajc finishes a low cross from close range to make it 1-0.
• 31' – Goal (Bravo): Nik Kovačič equalises after a through-ball splits the home defence.
• 52' – Goal (Radomlje): Marko Hribar scores from a half-cleared free-kick to restore the lead.
• 64' – Goal (Radomlje): Zajc grabs his second with a composed chip over the goalkeeper.
• 81' – Goal (Bravo): Substitute Jan Oblak pulls one back with a back-post finish.
• 90+2' – Save (Radomlje): The home goalkeeper denies Bravo a late equaliser with a superb tip over the bar.

Tactical Story

Radomlje lined up in a 4-3-3 formation, with the front three pressing aggressively and the midfield trio instructed to win the second balls. Their first-half dominance stemmed from a high defensive line that squeezed Bravo's build-up play, forcing the visitors into long passes that were often dealt with by the Radomlje centre-backs. The hosts' willingness to shoot from distance also caused problems, as shown by Hribar's goal from the edge of the box.

Bravo, meanwhile, preferred a patient 4-2-3-1 shape that looked to overload the flanks and create crossing opportunities. Their best spells came when the full-backs pushed high and the wingers drifted inside to combine with the central striker. However, the visitors were vulnerable to counter-attacks, and Radomlje exploited that weakness ruthlessly for the third goal. The introduction of fresh legs on the hour mark improved Bravo's attacking output, but it lef