“Stunning.” The word best describes Serbia’s impressive showing against a heavily favoured Germany last week. With the win, Serbia has rekindled their chances of making it to the knockout stages. Smashing, isn’t it? But hold your horses, says Branislav Ivanovic of Serbia.
The Chelsea defender praised his team for putting up a brave fight against the Germans—but insisted that the mission is still incomplete.
Like a seasoned veteran, the stout defender knows that their heroics at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium will be for naught if they fail to defeat Australia on Wednesday.
"It's given us back the respect that we lost in the first game. But we have not finished. We must perform, we must stay compact, we must stay strong in our third game. We must now start thinking of the third game against Australia,” said Ivanovic.
Indeed, outright qualification won’t be in the cards for the Serbs if they do not get three points in their next outing. Group D is now wide open and the first to blink may get booted out.
Many believe Serbia faces tough times ahead, especially since Australia will be fielding in Tim Cahill whose services were missed by the Socceroos following a harsh send-off during their World Cup opener. And if Australia was able to trounce Germany sans Cahill and Harry Kewell, then Serbia must be wary of a Socceroos-attack led by none other than the Everton man himself.
Just like all of Serbia’s people, Nemanja Vidic is ecstatic that his side managed to beat one of the heavyweights. And out of the 11 players fielded in by the coach, it is Vidic who is probably the most grateful for the win after his handball inside the area almost cost his team the game. But the Manchester United man has been quick to regain his senses following the match against Germany.
For him, an early preparation is a must because he is fully aware of the calibre of Australia’s men.
"I have played against a few of their players in England - Lucas Neill, Tim Cahill, Brett Emerton - and I have a big respect for their team. Physically, it will be a difficult game," said Vidic.
"Our people will be satisfied after we won this game, and that's the most important thing. If we get to the second round, they will be very, very happy," added the Manchester United defender.
And if Ivanovic and Vidic, are wary of the Socceroos, there is no man more guarded about Serbia’s next battle than their coach Radomir Antic.
With Australia’s recent resurgence in form, Antic has warned his team not to take winless Australia lightly.
Antic would be wise not to allow Germany’s 4-0 win over the Socceroos to give his side a heavy dose of overconfidence. To do so would be disastrous for Serbia.
Take Ghana for example. The Black Stars were favoured to put the final nail on Australia’s coffin, but it was the Socceroos who came out with goal-scoring intent sans main target man, Tim Cahill.
"Despite this, they still went close to victory, and they have shown many times they are a competitive team. We must focus on our own game as we prepare for the match," added Antic.
And focus they must, if they wish to get past Australia.
On Wednesday, expect Australia to go full force against a tough Serbia. It will be a 90-minute battle. The winner will likely advance, the loser will have their South African trip over.
The knockout stages are in sight for Serbia. But the road is still far off, the path rocky as heck. And the always-dangerous Australia stands as Serbia’s stumbling block to glory.
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