Outright Odds: one hundred/one
Group C Winners: nine/one
Serbia & Montenegro will start off in Germany as undefeated in qualifying with among the list of meanest defences in Global soccer. They topped their qualifying group in advance of Spain, Belgium and Bosnia-Herzegovina and conceded 꽁머니 only one goal in 10 matches away at Spain in a very 1-1 attract.
The draw in Spain observed their defence breaches for The very first time in 8 matches, Using the preceding seven successive clean sheets location a brand new environment history.
An Pretty much watertight defence is the key to Serbia & Montenegros success, With all the backline superbly marshalled by Mladen Krstajic, who performs in Germany for Schalke 04. These types of organisation and a chance to snuff out any opposing attacks prompted Manchester United to shell out seven million on defensive husband or wife Nemanja Vidic who was at Spartak Moscow.
Neither participant was a household identify and neither ended up Dynamo Kievs Goran Gavrancic or Ivica Dragutinovic of Sevilla who made up the back four, or goalkeeper Dragoslav Jevric, currently at Turkish outfit Ankaraspor, but they will be inside the minds of their Group C opposition professionals.
Nevertheless, Serbia & Montenegro may be the side that triggers a spanner from the operates for the greater fancies teams during the group, rather then one particular which enjoys success by themselves. While They're resolute at the back again, they are afflicted by a lack of creative imagination and do not rating numerous targets.
They scored 16 plans in qualifying, Even though fifty percent of these arrived versus San Marino throughout two matches. Goalless attracts at home to Belgium, Spain and Bosnia-Herzegovina suggest they wont be threatening Significantly in Germany. Former Chelsea striker Mateja Kezman, with five plans in qualifying, is their most obvious menace.
However, Nikola Zigic, at six foot seven inches also poses a towering presence and could potentially cause troubles inside the oppositions box. He also possesses good awareness and created Kezmans successful goal in the ultimate qualifier versus Bosnia-Herzegovina which clinched their area from the finals.
Inter Milan midfielder Dejan Stankovic is amongst the several recognisable faces while in the Serbia & Montenegro aspect and at 27, is one of the oldest, as manager Ilija Petkovic has properly put his religion in younger expertise to replaces the retired likes of legend Predrag Mijatovic. Petkovic is himself a former Intercontinental who coached the aged Yugoslavia for two months in 2001.
Advisable Bet:
Serbia & Montenegro have primarily based their latest, undefeated results on getting strong at the back again and a tough crew to break down. This might see them claim a number of shock attracts but a lack http://query.nytimes.com/search/sitesearch/?action=click&contentCollection®ion=TopBar&WT.nav=searchWidget&module=SearchSubmit&pgtype=Homepage#/꽁머니 of ambitions could see them miss out on out on an area in the next round. Back again them to say a attract against Argentina of their second match.
Argentina vs Serbia & Montenegro draw @ five/2