Serbia disappoint in Pretoria
A journey that started in September 2008 against the Faroe Islands, was the first step on a road to this day, 13th July 2010 in Pretoria and the start of Group D in the first African World Cup.
The draw had brought Serbia together with Germany, Australia and Ghana in one of the more challenging groups for the World Cup.
Radomir Antic had stated, "my ambitions are much bigger than qualification", and after such an impressive route to South Africa his words seemed well placed but with a close but uninspiring Group D opener, in Pretoria against Ghana, the White Eagles slumped to a 1-0 defeat.
This was a match defined by two moments, both of which involved referee Hector Baldassi.
In the 74th minute Aleksandar Lukovic received his second yellow card of the game and thus ensuring his side would see out the final 16 minutes a player short. Lukovic had just been turned by Asamoah Gyan on the edge of the Serbian half and as the Ghanaian attacker ran away he was tugged back by the Serb defender. It was a foul but a very unlikely one to lead to a red card, as the reaction of Lukovic and his team mates showed.
Then with 7 minutes remaining Zdravko Kuzmanovic had the misfortune of seeing a harmless cross connect with his right hand while climbing to clear the ball and the penalty what would decide the match was given.
Although Serbia had the majority of the possession, it was generally held in unthreatening positions but the best opportunities did come their way.
Pantelic, with a well worked set piece in the first half, would have been one on one with Kingson, the Ghana goalkeepers, but he was unable to control the ball and the chance was gone.
The best chance was created at the start of the second half. A good run down the left by Pantelic saw him flight a cross to the far post where Nikola Zigic awaited unmarked but from 5 yards from goal the ball hit the inside of his shin and deflected harmlessly back across the face of the goal. By the reaction of Zigic, he realised this was a great moment for his side.
The red card of Lukovic did not lead to Serbia retreating to hold out for a point and they began to take greater control of the match and created three more chances to take the lead.
Vidic headed a corner narrowly over the crossbar and Branislav Ivanovic saw an enterprising run forward lead to a thumping drive fly close to the top of the goal but neither forced a save.
Kingson was forced into action on 79 minutes when the lively substitute, Danko Lazovic beat his marker and cut a clever ball into the centre of the Ghana goalmouth where Pantelic swung at fresh air but, after a very quiet performance, Milos Krasic met it with a fierce left footed shot that had to be forced over the crossbar.
The penalty followed shortly after that would see Ghana 1-0 in front. Serbia continued to press forward and Kuzmanovic had a chance to make amends for his error but his drive blazed over Kingson’s goal.
The draw had brought Serbia together with Germany, Australia and Ghana in one of the more challenging groups for the World Cup.
Radomir Antic had stated, "my ambitions are much bigger than qualification", and after such an impressive route to South Africa his words seemed well placed but with a close but uninspiring Group D opener, in Pretoria against Ghana, the White Eagles slumped to a 1-0 defeat.
This was a match defined by two moments, both of which involved referee Hector Baldassi.
In the 74th minute Aleksandar Lukovic received his second yellow card of the game and thus ensuring his side would see out the final 16 minutes a player short. Lukovic had just been turned by Asamoah Gyan on the edge of the Serbian half and as the Ghanaian attacker ran away he was tugged back by the Serb defender. It was a foul but a very unlikely one to lead to a red card, as the reaction of Lukovic and his team mates showed.
Then with 7 minutes remaining Zdravko Kuzmanovic had the misfortune of seeing a harmless cross connect with his right hand while climbing to clear the ball and the penalty what would decide the match was given.
Although Serbia had the majority of the possession, it was generally held in unthreatening positions but the best opportunities did come their way.
Pantelic, with a well worked set piece in the first half, would have been one on one with Kingson, the Ghana goalkeepers, but he was unable to control the ball and the chance was gone.
The best chance was created at the start of the second half. A good run down the left by Pantelic saw him flight a cross to the far post where Nikola Zigic awaited unmarked but from 5 yards from goal the ball hit the inside of his shin and deflected harmlessly back across the face of the goal. By the reaction of Zigic, he realised this was a great moment for his side.
The red card of Lukovic did not lead to Serbia retreating to hold out for a point and they began to take greater control of the match and created three more chances to take the lead.
Vidic headed a corner narrowly over the crossbar and Branislav Ivanovic saw an enterprising run forward lead to a thumping drive fly close to the top of the goal but neither forced a save.
Kingson was forced into action on 79 minutes when the lively substitute, Danko Lazovic beat his marker and cut a clever ball into the centre of the Ghana goalmouth where Pantelic swung at fresh air but, after a very quiet performance, Milos Krasic met it with a fierce left footed shot that had to be forced over the crossbar.
The penalty followed shortly after that would see Ghana 1-0 in front. Serbia continued to press forward and Kuzmanovic had a chance to make amends for his error but his drive blazed over Kingson’s goal.
