G6 Team Profile: SERBIA & MONTENEGRO
This team, which formerly played as Yugoslavia in international soccer, turned out to be one of the surprises of World Cup qualifying. In a group that included Spain and Belgium they managed to go undefeated, winning six of their 10 games and drawing the other four.
The key to success for the team has been a defense that gave up only one goal during qualifying -an amazing statistic. Goalkeeper Dragoslav Jevric (Ankaraspor) has been outstanding as have team captain Mladen Krstajic (Schalke 04) and Ivica Dragutinovic (Sevilla) on the back line. Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United) is extremely promising defender. The 24-year-old moved to the English Premier League from Spartak Moscow in January and has already seen playing time.
The midfield and the forwards have not been as consistently solid but there will be very capable players holding down those positions. Look for Mateja Kezman (Atletico Madrid) and veteran striker Savo Milosevic (Osasuna) to lead the attack. Experienced Dejan Stankovic (Inter Milan) will definitely be an asset on the left side of the midfield. Sasa Ilic (Galatasaray) and Zvonimir Vukic (Portsmouth) are also able playmakers.
Serbia and Montenegro will face a tough challenge in World Cup group play. After giving up only one goal in qualifying, their defense should be up to the challenge but the question will be whether or not they can score goals. If they can, and the scores are low, anything is possible.
Comments
Srbi su najbolji i bit cu svjetski prvaci
Posted by: Anonymous | May 23, 2006 04:53 PM
well serbia and montenegro do not exist any more. The Montenegros had a referadum last week and decided to split from Serbia. The team is going to play like crap. There is no more pride in the team. IT is very sad.
Posted by: Anonymous | May 23, 2006 09:23 PM
Najbolji ostaju najbolji. Naprijed plavi
Posted by: Dragan | May 23, 2006 09:31 PM
Actually, there is plenty of pride within the team - more than you clearly think. If Serbia does not go through to the second round, it won't be for lack of motivation or pride, but because it is indeed the toughest group. That said, I believe they will go through and I am thrilled to have tickets to see their game vs. Argentina. What a festival that will be!
P.S. Red card for profanity by the Anonymous Croatian today in his dialect of Serbian.
Posted by: Bojan | May 26, 2006 11:36 AM
Thanks Bojan.
Posted by: SoccerAdmin | May 26, 2006 12:19 PM
srbi su najbolji uvek cemo biti prvi no matter what happens.!!!!!
AJMO PLAVI
Posted by: serb lover | May 27, 2006 07:06 AM
serbia rules...who gives a f*** if we just parted from Montenegro
Posted by: anja | June 3, 2006 04:54 AM
were screwed :P
Posted by: SeRb | June 22, 2006 06:41 PM