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10-10-2009, 04:49 PM
LET'S CELEBRATE TONIGHT!!
World Cup Qualifying Preview: Serbia - Romania
Serbia need just one last victory against almost eliminated Romania to cap off a great World Cup qualifying campaign...
Saturday, September 10, 20:30 CET
Crvena Zvezda Stadium, Belgrade
One More Win
With victory in either one of their last two World Cup qualification matches against Romania and Lithuania, Serbia will reach their first World Cup as an independent nation. Of course, much of their current squad took part in the last tournament in Germany, representing Serbia and Montenegro, and they will be eager to improve on a disappointing tournament, in which they lost all three of their group games. Some of them may still be having bad dreams about an embarrassing 6-0 defeat to Argentina in the second match.
In the qualification campaign for Euro 2008, the Serbians were again competitive, but finished third behind Poland and Portugal. However, their current World Cup campaign has been almost flawless, as they’ve won every match so far in Group 7, except the ones against France, who beat them in Paris and obtained a draw away.
Serbia are seen by UEFA and FIFA as the descendants of the Serbia and Montenegro and the Yugoslavian national teams, as opposed to Montenegro, who only started playing official matches as an independent nation starting from the current World Cup qualifying campaign.
Lately they’ve been in great form both in official games and friendlies, so there is no reason for Serbia not to fancy their chances of sealing qualification to the World Cup in this fixture.
Only A Theoretical Chance For Romania
Romania have had a highly disappointing World Cup qualifying campaign, especially considering the many quality players they have and the fact they took part in Euro 2008, where they held both Italy and France to draws. With two matches to go, they have only a theoretical chance of pipping les Bleus to second place in the group, which will only happen if they win their last two games while Raymond Domenech’s side lose theirs.
However, considering that France are playing those games at home against Austria and the Faroe Islands, that seems utterly unlikely. Razvan Lucescu’s team know they will be playing mostly for pride against Serbia.
Probably the lowest point for them was losing the opening match at home against Lithuania 3-0, a shock from which Romania never recovered. Losing crucial matches at home against Serbia (3-2) and Austria away (1-2) also proved fatal. With household names like Adrian Mutu and Cristian Chivu in their squad, it’s hard to see why they have been doing so poorly.
Nevertheless, there is some hope for the future, as the team have been doing better since Lucescu stepped in to replace coach Victor Piturca, who was largely responsible for the team’s failures in this World Cup qualifying campaign. Romania have obtained two draws and two wins under Lucescu’s tenure.
FORM GUIDE
Serbia
September 9 vs France (H) – DREW 1-1 (World Cup Qualifier)
August 12 vs South Africa (A) – WON 3-1 (Friendly)
June 10 vs Faroe Islands (A) – WON 2-0 (World Cup Qualifier)
June 6 vs Austria (H) – WON 1-0 (World Cup Qualifier)
April 1 vs Sweden (H) – WON 2-0 (Friendly)
Romania
September 9 vs Austria (H) – DREW 1-1 (World Cup Qualifier)
September 5 vs France (A) – DREW 1-1 (Friendly)
August 12 vs Hungary (A) – WON 1-0 (Friendly)
June 6 vs Lithuania (A) – WON 1-0 (World Cup Qualifier)
April 1 vs Austria (A) – LOST 2-1 (World Cup Qualifier)
TEAM NEWS
Serbia
Squad
Goalkeepers: Vladimir Stojkovic, Vladimir Disljenkovic, Bojan Isailovic.
Defenders: Antonio Rukavina, Ivica Dragutinovic, Nemanja Vidic, Branislav Ivanovic, Aleksandar Lukovic, Aleksandar Kolarov, Ivan Odradovic, Neven Subotic.
Midfielders: Gojko Kacar, Dejan Stankovic, Nenad Milijas, Milos Krasic, Radoslav Petrovic, Zoran Tosic, Zdravko Kuzmanovic, Milos Ninkovic.
Strikers: Marko Pantelic, Milan Jovanovic, Nikola Zigic, Marko Milinkovic.
Possible starting XI (4-4-2): Stojkovic; Ivanovic, Vidic, Obradovic, Lukovic; Kacar, Stankovic, Krasic, Milijas; Jovanovic, Zigic.
Romania
Squad
Goalkeepers: Danut Coman, Costel Pantilimon, Ciprian Tatarusanu.
Defenders: Cristian Chivu, Razvan Rat, Mirel Radoi, Dorin Goian, Vasile Maftei, Mihai Nesu, Cristian Panin, George Galamaz.
Midfielders: Tiberiu Ghioane, Bogdan Mara, Costin Lazar, Adrian Cristea, Tiberiu Balan, Iulian Apostol, Dacian Varga, Nicolae Grigore.
Strikers: Adrian Mutu, Ciprian Marica, Gheorghe Bucur, Andrei Cristea.
Possible starting XI (4-4-2): Coman; Radoi, Chivu, Rat, Goian; Ghioane, Cristea, Balan, Grigore; Mutu, Marica.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Dejan Stankovic (Serbia)
The Inter star is captain of his national team and easily the most experienced Serbian international, having made his debut back in 1998 at the tender age of 19. Stankovic has started the new season well with the Nerazzurri, having scored a couple of spectacular goals against Milan and Udinese in Serie A. If the Serbians make it to the World Cup, it will be his third appearance at a major tournament. He has played at Euro 2000 and the 2006 World Cup, where he was already the team’s captain.
Adrian Mutu (Romania)
It seems the Romanian star will not have to pay the €17 million fine to Chelsea for his use of cocaine. However, his off-the-pitch problems have taken their toll on the player lately, as he’s struggled to score for Fiorentina. He’ll certainly try to get on the scoresheet in these last two qualifying games to gain confidence ahead of his return to Serie A action with the Viola.
PREDICTION
Motivation should play a role here. Serbia know they will need just one more victory to qualify for the World Cup, and they’ll want to do it in front of their home fans.
Serbia 2-1 Romania
Danilo Pochini, Goal.com
World Cup Qualifying Preview: Serbia - Romania
Serbia need just one last victory against almost eliminated Romania to cap off a great World Cup qualifying campaign...
Saturday, September 10, 20:30 CET
Crvena Zvezda Stadium, Belgrade
One More Win
With victory in either one of their last two World Cup qualification matches against Romania and Lithuania, Serbia will reach their first World Cup as an independent nation. Of course, much of their current squad took part in the last tournament in Germany, representing Serbia and Montenegro, and they will be eager to improve on a disappointing tournament, in which they lost all three of their group games. Some of them may still be having bad dreams about an embarrassing 6-0 defeat to Argentina in the second match.
In the qualification campaign for Euro 2008, the Serbians were again competitive, but finished third behind Poland and Portugal. However, their current World Cup campaign has been almost flawless, as they’ve won every match so far in Group 7, except the ones against France, who beat them in Paris and obtained a draw away.
Serbia are seen by UEFA and FIFA as the descendants of the Serbia and Montenegro and the Yugoslavian national teams, as opposed to Montenegro, who only started playing official matches as an independent nation starting from the current World Cup qualifying campaign.
Lately they’ve been in great form both in official games and friendlies, so there is no reason for Serbia not to fancy their chances of sealing qualification to the World Cup in this fixture.
Only A Theoretical Chance For Romania
Romania have had a highly disappointing World Cup qualifying campaign, especially considering the many quality players they have and the fact they took part in Euro 2008, where they held both Italy and France to draws. With two matches to go, they have only a theoretical chance of pipping les Bleus to second place in the group, which will only happen if they win their last two games while Raymond Domenech’s side lose theirs.
However, considering that France are playing those games at home against Austria and the Faroe Islands, that seems utterly unlikely. Razvan Lucescu’s team know they will be playing mostly for pride against Serbia.
Probably the lowest point for them was losing the opening match at home against Lithuania 3-0, a shock from which Romania never recovered. Losing crucial matches at home against Serbia (3-2) and Austria away (1-2) also proved fatal. With household names like Adrian Mutu and Cristian Chivu in their squad, it’s hard to see why they have been doing so poorly.
Nevertheless, there is some hope for the future, as the team have been doing better since Lucescu stepped in to replace coach Victor Piturca, who was largely responsible for the team’s failures in this World Cup qualifying campaign. Romania have obtained two draws and two wins under Lucescu’s tenure.
FORM GUIDE
Serbia
September 9 vs France (H) – DREW 1-1 (World Cup Qualifier)
August 12 vs South Africa (A) – WON 3-1 (Friendly)
June 10 vs Faroe Islands (A) – WON 2-0 (World Cup Qualifier)
June 6 vs Austria (H) – WON 1-0 (World Cup Qualifier)
April 1 vs Sweden (H) – WON 2-0 (Friendly)
Romania
September 9 vs Austria (H) – DREW 1-1 (World Cup Qualifier)
September 5 vs France (A) – DREW 1-1 (Friendly)
August 12 vs Hungary (A) – WON 1-0 (Friendly)
June 6 vs Lithuania (A) – WON 1-0 (World Cup Qualifier)
April 1 vs Austria (A) – LOST 2-1 (World Cup Qualifier)
TEAM NEWS
Serbia
Squad
Goalkeepers: Vladimir Stojkovic, Vladimir Disljenkovic, Bojan Isailovic.
Defenders: Antonio Rukavina, Ivica Dragutinovic, Nemanja Vidic, Branislav Ivanovic, Aleksandar Lukovic, Aleksandar Kolarov, Ivan Odradovic, Neven Subotic.
Midfielders: Gojko Kacar, Dejan Stankovic, Nenad Milijas, Milos Krasic, Radoslav Petrovic, Zoran Tosic, Zdravko Kuzmanovic, Milos Ninkovic.
Strikers: Marko Pantelic, Milan Jovanovic, Nikola Zigic, Marko Milinkovic.
Possible starting XI (4-4-2): Stojkovic; Ivanovic, Vidic, Obradovic, Lukovic; Kacar, Stankovic, Krasic, Milijas; Jovanovic, Zigic.
Romania
Squad
Goalkeepers: Danut Coman, Costel Pantilimon, Ciprian Tatarusanu.
Defenders: Cristian Chivu, Razvan Rat, Mirel Radoi, Dorin Goian, Vasile Maftei, Mihai Nesu, Cristian Panin, George Galamaz.
Midfielders: Tiberiu Ghioane, Bogdan Mara, Costin Lazar, Adrian Cristea, Tiberiu Balan, Iulian Apostol, Dacian Varga, Nicolae Grigore.
Strikers: Adrian Mutu, Ciprian Marica, Gheorghe Bucur, Andrei Cristea.
Possible starting XI (4-4-2): Coman; Radoi, Chivu, Rat, Goian; Ghioane, Cristea, Balan, Grigore; Mutu, Marica.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Dejan Stankovic (Serbia)
The Inter star is captain of his national team and easily the most experienced Serbian international, having made his debut back in 1998 at the tender age of 19. Stankovic has started the new season well with the Nerazzurri, having scored a couple of spectacular goals against Milan and Udinese in Serie A. If the Serbians make it to the World Cup, it will be his third appearance at a major tournament. He has played at Euro 2000 and the 2006 World Cup, where he was already the team’s captain.
Adrian Mutu (Romania)
It seems the Romanian star will not have to pay the €17 million fine to Chelsea for his use of cocaine. However, his off-the-pitch problems have taken their toll on the player lately, as he’s struggled to score for Fiorentina. He’ll certainly try to get on the scoresheet in these last two qualifying games to gain confidence ahead of his return to Serie A action with the Viola.
PREDICTION
Motivation should play a role here. Serbia know they will need just one more victory to qualify for the World Cup, and they’ll want to do it in front of their home fans.
Serbia 2-1 Romania
Danilo Pochini, Goal.com