Serbia TEAMS

A strong start is key to coach Radomir Antic getting Serbia on the right track in its first major tournament as an independent nation. The deep Serbian team could easily be one of the Cup's dark horses.

World-Serbian strength in depth can dispel fiasco of 2006

BELGRADE, May 19 (Reuters) - Serbia's chances of progressing to the last 16 in South Africa are likely to hinge on a fast start and a renewed belief in their strength in depth that has left them sadly lacking in previous major tournaments.




Local media gave Serbia only a slim chance of reaching the 2010 World Cup after their failure to qualify for Euro 2008 under Spaniard Javier Clemente was followed by a five-match winless streak under Miroslav Djukic.

He was sacked to make way for Radomir Antic and there was little in the early stages of his reign to suggest the former Real Madrid and Barcelona coach had the magic ingredients to restore Serbia's fortunes.

An unimpressive 2-0 win over Faroe Islands in the opening match was followed by a 2-1 defeat in France, but six wins and a draw followed to secure Serbia's passage with one match to spare.

Serbia qualified for their first major tournament as an independent nation under Antic but whether they can live up to growing expectations at home in the finals will largely depend on their ability to cope with a tough tournament schedule.

Qualifiers in Europe are played over a period of 14 months and the format allows all entrants enough time to prepare for each battle on the road to the finals, which is often essential to second-tier teams such as Serbia.

The gruelling, 32-team tournament in South Africa leaves no room for error, with three group games crammed into 10 days followed by three knockout rounds leading up to the final.

Depth in the squad becomes essential when injuries and suspensions mount and although Serbia now appear to have their strongest outfit in the past few years, they will be wary of the 2006 World Cup fiasco when they crashed out with three group-stage defeats as Serbia and Montenegro.

Their chances of reaching the last 16 from Group D including 2006 semi-finalists Germany, Australia and Ghana may rest heavily on the outcome of their opening match against the Ghanaians in Pretoria on June 13.

A winning start would boost their confidence ahead of the match with Germany in Port Elizabeth on June 18.

The Serbians have never beaten a top team either as an independent nation or as Serbia and Montenegro, the 6-0 drubbing by Argentina in the 2006 World Cup being their lowest ebb in a major tournament.

However, the strength of the current crop, including a wealth of experience epitomised by big names such as Manchester United's Nemanja Vidic and Inter Milan midfielder Dejan Stankovic, coupled with several talented players in their prime, suggests they could be one of the dark horses of the tournament.
World-Factbox on Serbia

May 19 (Reuters) - Factbox on Serbia who are competing in Group D at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa:


Colours: Red shirts, blue shorts and white socks

Nickname: Orlovi (Eagles)

Previous World Cup Appearances: 9 as part of former Yugoslavia (1930, 1950, 1954, 1958, 1962, 1974, 1982, 1990, 1998). One as Serbia and Montenegro (2006). None as an independent nation.

Best World Cup performance: (Semi-finals 1930 and fourth place 1962 as part of former Yugoslavia).

Coach: Radomir Antic

Most capped player: Savo Milosevic 102

Top scorer: Savo Milosevic 37

Talking points:

Long-term injuries to defender Ivica Dragutinovic and midfielder Bosko Jankovic have forced changes in the squad as both would have been certain candidates for the finals. Forward Danko Lazovic's participation is also hanging in the balance after he sustained a thigh injury. Serbia may take four goalkeepers to South Africa with Andjelko Djuricic coming into the frame after a good season with his Portuguese club Nacional. In their first appearance as an independent nation, Serbia aim to impress after disappointing in a group stage exit as Serbia and Montenegro in the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

Players to watch:

Antic has tipped towering striker Nikola Zigic to be one of the tournament's outstanding players while 2009 Serbian player of the year Milos Krasic and top scorer in qualifying Milan Jovanovic should add bite to Serbia's attack. Nemanja Vidic is expected to marshal the back four and captain Dejan Stankovic is playing in what could be his last major tournament.
Official Serbia Squad - Goalkeeper Zeljko Brkic Dropped

After training with a group of 24 at their camp in Austria, the Vojvodina Novi Sad shot stopper was axed leaving club-mate Dragan Mrdja and Radosav Petrovic of Partizan as the only two home-based players in the final 23.

"I had to leave one player out and such a decision is never easy to make. I told Zeljko that being in the training camp should be a stimulus for his career and that I still will count on him," Antic was quoted as saying by the Associated Press.

Serbia have two more warm-up games prior to opening their World Cup account against Ghana on June 13.


Goalkeepers -
Vladimir Stojkovic Sporting CP (POR)
Bojan Isailovic Zaglebie Lubin (POL)
Andjelko Djuricic Uniao Leiria (POR)
Defenders -
Branislav Ivanovic Chelsea (ENG)
Antonio Rukavina 1860 Munich (GER)
Nemanja Vidic Manchester United (ENG)
Neven Subotic Borussia Dortmund (GER)
Aleksandar Lukovic Udinese (ITA)
Ivan Obradovic Zaragoza (ESP)
Aleksandar Kolarov Lazio (ITA)
Midfielders -
Dejan Stankovic Inter (ITA)
Gojko Kacar Hertha Berlin (GER)
Nenad Milijas Wolverhampton Wanderers (ENG)
Radosav Petrovic Partizan
Zdravko Kuzmanovic Stuttgart (GER)
Milos Krasic CSKA Moscow (RUS)
Zoran Tosic Manchester United (ENG)
Milos Ninkovic Dynamo Kiev (UKR)
Milan Jovanovic Standard Liege (BEL)
Forwards -
Nikola Zigic Birmingham City (ENG)
Marko Pantelic Ajax (NED)
Danko Lazovic Zenit St. Petersburg (RUS)
Dragan Mrdja Vojvodina Novi Sad