Tim Matavz scored a vital opening goal as Slovenia recovered from a first-half red card to beat Faeroe Islands 2-0 in a Euro 2012 qualifying match on Friday.
Slovenia had defender Marko Suler sent off in the 25th minute after he hacked down Christian Lamhauge Holst outside the penalty area just as the striker looked set to open the scoring.
Instead it was 10-man Slovenia that broke the deadlock four minutes later, when the 22-year-old Matavz scored with a left-footed drive after the Faeroe Islands defense failed to clear a seemingly harmless free kick.
Despite losing a player so early in the encounter, Slovenia battled well on a soggy pitch and was rarely under threat for the remainder of the half.
Faeroe Islands coach Brian Kerr tried to rally his players, but their woes were further compounded in the 47th minute when the visitors earned a corner and Rogvi Baldvinsson sent a diving header into his own goal.
The home side did manage to create a handful of half-chances, with Lamhauge Holst in particular posing a threat, but the host proved unable to find a way past Slovenia goalkeeper Samir Handanovic.
Slovenia moved into provisional second place in Group C, three points clear of Serbia, which has played a game less. Group leader Italy was playing Estonia later on Friday, while Faeroe Islands is bottom of the table with one point from six games.
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Lineups:
Faeroe Islands: Jakup Mikkelsen, Jonas Tor Naes (Suni Olsen, 81), Einar Hansen, Johan Davidsen, Rogvi Baldvinsson, Daniel Udsen (Atli Danielsen, 45), Frodji Benjaminsen, Pol Johannes Justinussen, Hjalgrim Elttor, Joan Edmundsson, Christian Lamhauge Holst (Christian Mouritsen, 75).
Slovenia: Samir Handanovic, Miso Brecko, Marko Suler, Bostjan Cesar, Robert Koren, Valter Birsa (Matej Mavric, 47), Milivoje Novakovic (Zlatan Ljubijankic, 55), Bojan Jokic, Josip Ilicic, Armin Bacinovic, Tim Matavz (Andraz Kirm, 76).
