Serbia sink the Germans
History was not on Serbia’s side going into their crunch Group D match against Germany in Port Elizabeth. The White Eagles had not defeated the Germans outside of Europe since 1962 in Chile and you had to go back 6 World Cups to 1986 to the last time Germany was defeated in a group match.
After the defeat to Ghana in the opening group game, for Serbia to be in control of their own destiny no more points could be dropped in the next two games.
The White Eagles did not disappoint and they left the field with a historic 1-0 victory that blew qualification from Group D wide open.
Radomir Antic made changes to the starting line-up, one which was forced and two which were tactical.
Nevan Subotic was brought into partner Vidic at the heart of the defence, after Lukovic’s red card in the first game. Out also went Pantelic and Milijas, in a tactical switch that saw Ninkovic and Kuzmanvic, who’s hand ball led to the Ghana goal, come into the starting 11.
Kuzamnovic was a straight swap for Milijas but is a more defensive minded midfielder who is happy to sit in behind Stankovic and is more mobile than Milijas.
The switch of Ninkovic for Pantelic was a very interesting move.
Out went 4-4-2 and in came a 4-2-3-1. Against Ghana, the front pairing of Zigic and Pantelic failed to spark and the 2 wingers who are so important to the success of the Serb side could make no impact. Bringing in Ninkovic, who is a clever player with good passing vision to float behind Zigic, would encourage Jovanovic to move into the box from his position on the left. This was a tactic that worked very well in qualifying with Jovanovic getting 5 goals and being the sides leading scorer.
After 38 minutes we saw this very move come to fruition. Krasic, who had troubled the German full back Badstuder with his pace and trickery, was released down the right leaving his marker behind to float a cross to the far post where it was met by Zigic, who’s knock down was met in the 6 yard box by Jovanovic who swept it into the net.
Jovanovic ‘s run had been not picked up by the Germans with Zigic taking up the attention of 2 of their defenders and he was able to wait for the knock down which he took with one touch on his chest before finishing acrobatically with a neat half volley from his left foot.
The joy of the team was very visible as they ran across the pitch to a section of the ground to celebrate with their supporters. Jovanovic leapt over an advertising hoarding and dually disappeared into a concrete moat just below the delighted White Eagles support.
Prior to goal the first half had been most noted for the number of yellow cards shown by the Spanish referee, Alberto Undiano, six times he felt compelled to brandish yellow in a match that was certainly competitive but without a tackle that stood out as violent.
It was 2 minutes before the goal that the sixth yellow was handed out and it was given to Miroslav Klose who had also received the first after 12 minutes. He had been booked for clipping the heel of Branislav Ivanovic whilst chasing to retrieve the ball and then it was a clumsy tackle from behind on Stankovic inside the Serbian half that led to the second booking and then the red card.
Although reduced to ten men the Germans continued try and find a way back into the game and in the second half Lukas Podolski had numerous opportunities for his side but spurned each one.
After the defeat to Ghana in the opening group game, for Serbia to be in control of their own destiny no more points could be dropped in the next two games.
The White Eagles did not disappoint and they left the field with a historic 1-0 victory that blew qualification from Group D wide open.
Radomir Antic made changes to the starting line-up, one which was forced and two which were tactical.
Nevan Subotic was brought into partner Vidic at the heart of the defence, after Lukovic’s red card in the first game. Out also went Pantelic and Milijas, in a tactical switch that saw Ninkovic and Kuzmanvic, who’s hand ball led to the Ghana goal, come into the starting 11.
Kuzamnovic was a straight swap for Milijas but is a more defensive minded midfielder who is happy to sit in behind Stankovic and is more mobile than Milijas.
The switch of Ninkovic for Pantelic was a very interesting move.
Out went 4-4-2 and in came a 4-2-3-1. Against Ghana, the front pairing of Zigic and Pantelic failed to spark and the 2 wingers who are so important to the success of the Serb side could make no impact. Bringing in Ninkovic, who is a clever player with good passing vision to float behind Zigic, would encourage Jovanovic to move into the box from his position on the left. This was a tactic that worked very well in qualifying with Jovanovic getting 5 goals and being the sides leading scorer.
After 38 minutes we saw this very move come to fruition. Krasic, who had troubled the German full back Badstuder with his pace and trickery, was released down the right leaving his marker behind to float a cross to the far post where it was met by Zigic, who’s knock down was met in the 6 yard box by Jovanovic who swept it into the net.
Jovanovic ‘s run had been not picked up by the Germans with Zigic taking up the attention of 2 of their defenders and he was able to wait for the knock down which he took with one touch on his chest before finishing acrobatically with a neat half volley from his left foot.
The joy of the team was very visible as they ran across the pitch to a section of the ground to celebrate with their supporters. Jovanovic leapt over an advertising hoarding and dually disappeared into a concrete moat just below the delighted White Eagles support.
Prior to goal the first half had been most noted for the number of yellow cards shown by the Spanish referee, Alberto Undiano, six times he felt compelled to brandish yellow in a match that was certainly competitive but without a tackle that stood out as violent.
It was 2 minutes before the goal that the sixth yellow was handed out and it was given to Miroslav Klose who had also received the first after 12 minutes. He had been booked for clipping the heel of Branislav Ivanovic whilst chasing to retrieve the ball and then it was a clumsy tackle from behind on Stankovic inside the Serbian half that led to the second booking and then the red card.
Although reduced to ten men the Germans continued try and find a way back into the game and in the second half Lukas Podolski had numerous opportunities for his side but spurned each one.
