Algerian veteran El Arbi Hilal Soudani strikes again in NK Maribor’s title chase

El Arbi Hilal Soudani netted his 11th goal of the season to help NK Maribor secure a 1-1 draw away to Lendava, keeping the Slovenian title race alive despite late disappointment.

The 37-year-old Algerian forward gave Maribor a perfect start by scoring just eight minutes into the delayed matchday 27 encounter.

Exploiting space down the right channel of the penalty area, Soudani expertly controlled the ball with his left foot before bending a precise finish beyond the goalkeeper’s reach.

His goal, a demonstration of experience and technique, looked set to hand Maribor a crucial away win as they seek to keep pressure on league leaders Ljubljana.

However, the home side struck back in dramatic fashion, levelling the score in the 90th minute to deny the visitors all three points.

Despite the late setback, Soudani’s performance stood out once again. The Algerian striker’s contribution marked his eighth goal in the league this season, and his 11th across all competitions.

His continued form has proven vital to Maribor’s hopes of maintaining a realistic title challenge in the closing stages of the campaign.

The result leaves Maribor second in the Slovenian top flight, 12 points adrift of table-toppers Ljubljana with six games remaining.

However, the former champions still have a game in hand, keeping slim hopes of a late surge alive as the season nears its climax.

Soudani’s goal against Lendava reaffirmed his importance to the team, both as a leader and a consistent attacking threat.

At 37, the Algerian international shows no signs of slowing down, frequently stepping up when it matters most for Maribor.

His latest strike not only added to his personal tally but also ensured that Maribor avoided defeat in what could have been a costly slip in their pursuit of silverware.

The veteran’s knack for finding the net in key moments has helped sustain the club’s competitiveness in a tightly contested league campaign.

Having represented Algeria on the international stage and enjoyed spells across Europe and the Middle East, Soudani’s experience continues to shine through in Slovenia.

His clinical finish on the night was a reminder of the quality that made him a fan favourite in previous stints with Dinamo Zagreb, Nottingham Forest, and Al-Fateh.

While Maribor will regret conceding a late equaliser, there remains belief within the camp that the title race is not yet over.

The team’s focus now shifts to their remaining fixtures and closing the gap on Ljubljana, hoping their game in hand can reignite momentum.

For Soudani, the goal was another step in a standout season, demonstrating his enduring quality at a stage of his career when many would have slowed.

With six league matches still to play and the possibility of narrowing the gap at the top, the Algerian striker will no doubt remain central to Maribor’s ambitions.

As the season draws to a close, Soudani’s experience, poise, and eye for goal may yet prove decisive in shaping the final outcome of Slovenia’s top-flight title race.