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World Cup 2010: Serbia Draws Germany, Australia and Ghana
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It seemed like this day would never come. After winning Group 7 and qualifying directly for the World Cup, Serbia had the privilege to relax and wait for the Draw on 4h of December for more than two months while many of the fellow European teams squared off with one another to make sure that their names too appear in Cape Town and in the hands of the beautiful Charlize Theron. So, while the play-offs were getting all the media attention (especially the one featuring our own group rivals, France, and I assume you all know why), Serbia had the chance to cool off and to achieve two 1-0 wins in friendly games against Northern Ireland and South Korea, waiting for the December draw in a rather good mood. The next big question, raised perhaps even before we have officially qualified, but rather omnipresent after the WC pots were declared was: who do we draw in our group? Are we going to get an another “Group of Death” like in 2006 (Argentina, Netherlands and Ivory Coast) or will lady luck smile upon us at last? Well, you decide, ladies and gentlemen, because we have drawn Germany from Pot 1 (top seeded teams), Australia from Pot 2 (Asian and North American teams) and Ghana from Pot 3 (African and South American teams, excluding Brazil and Argentina). Without going too deep into the analyisis of our opponents and our chances of progressing from the group, here’s a quick glance at our next summer’s rivals:
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Germany: While it could be argued that Germany is the weakest of the top seeded teams, excluding South Africa, of course, they are not to be underestimated. Teams like Spain, Brazil and Argentina might look like teams from another dimension when compared to Germany, but people said the very same about “The Panzers” before each of the two World Cups when they finished 2nd and 3rd respectively, and also before the Euro 2008 where they played and eventually lost the final to Spain. In other words, Germany is a very organized team capable of doing much much more than their players’ individual talents might suggest. Other than Ballack and perhaps Schweinsteiger and Klose thay lack a real star and it could even be argued that Serbia has a stronger force on paper. But with such a disastrous history in matches against Germany and that team’s capability to dismantle much more talented and expensive teams than Serbia, they are to be highly respected to say the least.
However, I sincerely think we should not fear them. Last summer’s defeat to Croatia has shown just how much you can achieve if you play them without much fear and with a lot of desire to win. In other words, they should not be taken lightly but I would rather eat my own shirt than admit that we aren’t capable of defeating them.
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Australia: While The Aussies are definitely harder opponents than North Korea, South Korea, New Zealand and Honduras, teams like Mexico and USA were definitely worth avoiding from Pot 2 and that’s why I consider that drawing Australia could be only considered relatively unlucky. They have a lot of Europe-based players such as Cahill, Kewell, Bresciano, Neill and Schwarzer, and we have all seen how they managed to reach the knockout rounds in 2006 and give Italy a rather hard time before Grosso’s non-existent penalty in the last seconds of the game knocked them out in a very unfortunate way.
So, Australia should definitely be respected as a solid team with lots of good players, but while knowing the names of the other two opponents in the group, 3 points against the Aussies are a must. But as we play them in our third match in the group we should know by then just what result against them do we need. But when that day comes we should better not underestimate them like Croatia did in 2006: they’ve shown to be highly resilient to on-paper inferiority.
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Ghana: Oh, boy, I was hoping this wouldn’t happen. I won’t go into analysing just how strong or weak is Ghana when compared to Nigeria, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Chile or Paraguay in a pot where all the teams except maybe Algeria have roughly the same quality and chances of creating an upset in the tournament. But I do know just why I didn’t want us to draw Ghana: First of all, I remember very well just how good have they played in 2006 and how far they could’ve reached hadn’t they drawn Brazil in the Round of 16 (and they also played that game very well). The second reason is the admiration I have towards Michael Essien, who I consider to be one of the very best midfielders in the world at the moment. Defending, passing, extraordinary goals – the guy has it all. The rest of Ghana’s team doesn’t look so strong when compared to Ivory Coast or Cameroon, but they have a very talented team and I’ll stay by my own convictions and claim that Essien is what makes me shiver when I look at Ghana’s flag next to Serbia’s. And the third and final reason I didn’t want us to draw Ghana is their coach, Milovan Rajevac. “The Black Stars” have established a tradition of bringing Serbian coaches to bring them success. In 2006, they were led by Ratomir Dujković, already a living legend in Ghana and the man who took them to their first World Cup in history. He is currently the leader of Serbian U21 team and the guy that Ghaneans have chosen to lead them to their second World Cup was his fellow countryman, Milovan Rajevac. Now, while I won’t go into praising or underestimating Rajevac’s coaching abilities, the fact that he is a Serbian with an excellent knowledge of Serbian football is what makes Ghana a rather tricky team to face.
So, what are our chances? The game against Ghana is the first one we are going to play and could very well determine the destiny of both teams. For this reason, Ghana should be dealt with rather seriously and without a smallest piece of arrogance. We should prepare properly and go into this game with a belief that we are capable of defeating a team that is definitely not as weak as some with a lack of football knowledge might think. If we play the way we shown we can play in the qualifiers, this game is ours for the taking, and let nobody think otherwise. This is a balanced group in which we can finish with 9 or with 0 points rather easily, and it all depends on us. With such a long history of underachieving, I believe it’s time to show the world just how good we can be.
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[In the case some of you wondered just why I haven't been around for a while, especially with all the good things that have happened with the Serbian team, I guess I don't have a valid answer. I guess I was lazy and unmotivated to write when all the drama was over. But, fear not, my dear readers, the drama is back on and I'll be around as much as I can. Now it's the time this becomes a true World Cup blog!]
Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 28 comments.
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Very good blog Nikola, though i probaley disagree with you in regards to Germany being one of the weakest top seed teams besides South Africa.
Germany has gone on to 7 finals, only equalled by Brazil, though obviously the conversion rate is not as good. They have won the european cup more than anyone else and even though that is history, this current team is not dissimilar to the previous finalists.
But as said before, its going to be very interesting 
Very good write-up you have here Nikola, far better than most I’ve seen. Certainly you’re right about Antic being a major strength of the Serbian team; everything I’ve heard about him is very impressive.
As regards Australian players, you seem to have listed the most prominent, although of course there are plenty of others playing in top leagues. John’s a bit behind the times bringing up Viduka though – he’s already retired!
Cmon Australia. Cant wait for the action. I think this group is very balanced and I rekon Australia could come out on top if they play to their full potential with a bit of luck as is always needed in sport. I just hope the bad refereeing stays minimal and the outcomes are decided by the players.
Posted from 
Australia
I also would like to add that I got a funny feeling Deutschland wont make it out of this group. But its hard to predict.
Posted from Australia
Just want to second Alex’s statement about the quality of the write-up. Given they way Serbia qualified, I’d have to rate as an almost* certainty to make it past the group phase, and I rate them as the dark horse to go all the way.
That said… go Socceroos!
* almost as there’s never any true certainty in football.
Posted from Australia
Stranger things have happened, however Viduka hasn’t played for Australia since the 2007 Asian Cup. I think we can safely count him out.
This group is bloody dangerous, any two teams can go through, in any order. There will no doubt be a few surprises.
Posted from 
Germany
Yes. Yes. Yes. Ghana is the real threat but unfortunately, there are some serious issues with our team that must be fixed. The Black Stars have, to me, only 4 players who can say they are core: Kingson in posts, Essien, Anthony Annan and Fulham’s John Paintsil. So even though i appreciate the healthy respect Nikola gives us, 6 months is a long way to go. I’ll be speaking more about these in the coming days on the Ghana page.
Posted from 
United States
Don’t expect to see Viduka in South Africa… not playing anyway.
“But, sources in Melbourne indicated yesterday that Viduka, 34, is not interested in playing again. “I think you will find he has come back to visit his family and to catch up with friends,” a source said. “Mark is apparently enjoying life without football, and it shows.”
Posted from Australia
Nikola, Just wanted to welcome you back and thank you for this thoughtful posting. Your analysis seems spot-on to me and one can see a similar uncertainy in many of the other reviews of this group across the Web. I’ve read some experts who see Serbia as the group’s “weak sister” while others pick the team as the “dark horse” who might make some real noise in the tournament. We’ll see next Summer! I guess that’s what makes the tournament so exciting and anxiety-making. For me, the key to Serbia’s success is to play with confidence, flair, and energy; e.g. a feeling that the team really belongs on the big stage and is a force to be reckoned with. Getting off to a good start also strikes me as being a crucial element. Thank goodness though the team isn’t in the same group with the Netherlands! Seems like they always give the Serbs a very hard time! So I’m grateful for that!
I’d like to echo everyone’s elses comments about the quality of your post, Nikola. I hope to read many more posts on the Serbian team and their chances.
I would say, though, that both Germany and Ghana are both strongest in the midfield. While Germany have some quality strikers like Klose and Podolski, their form has waned over the past year or so. Gomez and Kiessling are decent players but I’m not sure they’re good enough to make a big impact at the world cup.
Ghana have gotten good returns out of both Amoah and Gyan but I feel the real power in their team is the midfield work of Essien, Appiah and Muntari. Stop them through the middle of the pitch and the supply will dry up.
Posted from Australia
Its one thing to chant empty rhetoric in support of your national team but its quite another thing when it comes time to place the bets. Here its obviuos what peoples opinions are of qualification in group D. All the odds I’ve seen posted show Germany as heavy favourites with Ghana and Serbia very close (Serbia having a very slight edge) and Australia an outsider, and this seems most likely. Obviuosly the key here is the Serbia-Ghana match, whoever will qualify if not come first in the group.
My suspicions tell me that Serbia’s easiest game will be against Ghana, mainly because Ghana’s defenders and players in general are quite short. Most fail to break 6ft. With Krasic and Milijas crossing in and Ivanovic/Vidic/Zigic being world class in the air it could be a high scoring match [3-3].
I am also concerned about the lack of discipline in team Ghana as Essien, Muntari and Gyan all went AWOL at there last friendly, failing to turn up despite being called by the coach.
I wont even mention the Australia game, not because it will be easy but because by the last game the group will probably be settled and the teams will not be playing there usual football.
Posted from Australia
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Posted from 
Bangladesh
I see Germany & Ghana progressing in this group. I chose Ghana because in addition to the factors above, they also have the support of the Fans(Africa-wise)
Its a group to watch out for. The top three, i think,would emerge from this group.
Dare Olubanwo
http://9jakonnect.com/football-fans-page/
Hey , if anyone watched the Serbia-Lithuania qualifier , you know there were some very funny penalties awarded to Lithuania . This match was actually under investigation by FIFA because the ref for that match has been suspended for match fixing in another match ! The headlines say they didn’t find any suspicious betting for the Serbia match but those penalties were very fishy !
Another thing on the same note , I notice that Krstajic is not playing anymore for our team . I hate to attack someone if I am wrong but his performance against France smelled big time . I recorded that game and you can clearly see him giving away the ball several times . The people I watched the match with all immediately pointed it out .
I am from Brazil, therefore it is unnecessary to say that I am a soccer fan. I do not understand how come Petckovic, from Flamengo, current Brazil’s league winner, is not part of your Team. If Brazil is one of the Best soccer schools and he has been consistentely one of the best players in brazilian territory, how could he have never even been given a chance to participate in Serbia’s Team??
It’s unbelievable!
Posted from United States
Fabio he is simply too old, I wouldn’t pick him over Krasic, Jovanovic, Jankovic or Tosic. He should have been called up fro World Cup 2006 but not now.
Serbia is getting underestimated but that’s no surprise.
Xtratime.org
Posted from 
Canada
Hahahahahaha, anyone thats said that australia can top this group just go and make a apointment at the doctors now… your mental health is not well! Seriously no depth at all, their starting eleven is just ok and on their day with luck they can get a result but they have absolutely no depth. Australia would be extremely lucky to progress to the next round and that to me would be very surprising. Ghana is a threat because its on home soil, but it will be winter in africa so well see how they cope with that. Germany should top the group but dont be to surprised if serbia does. Serbias best eleven STOJKOVIC, KOLAROV, VIDIC, IVANOVIC, SUBITIC, MILIJAS, STANKOVIC, KACAR, (KRASIC),JOVANOVIC, ZIGIC. watch this video of krasic and take a look at what he does to a very good aston villa team towards the end of the video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTKKgbERdOM Next time i give my soccer analasys i wana be paid for it!
Posted from Australia
Fabio….. Dejan Petkovic is a good solid player but with the quality in serbias midfield there is no room for him and hes 37 now so he is to old. He has done well in brazilian league scoring 8 goals but brazil league is very attacking and you should expect that type of return from a attacking midfielder! Its better for serbia to give zoran tosic and milos ninkovic a run because i belive they are better players especially tosic than petkovic, and the experience they will gain in this world cup would be alot more beneficial to serbia than to put in a 37 year old petkovic who will not be around much longer!
Posted from Australia
As the founder of the respected tipping website http://www.scoutfootball.co.uk,which is proofed each week by the Racing Post newspaper,i would like to congratulate Serbia in advance for reaching not only the quarter final stage of the World Cup,but also the semi-final stage.We believe the game against Ghana is key to the rest of the tournemant,and i agree with Dan that Ghana’s weakness is in defence with regards to the hieght of the defence.But i believe that players like Essian and Cahill are not enough to drag both these teams forward to the next stage,and that Serbia and Germany have better players in the first eleven and the whole squad in general.
Posted from 
United Kingdom
I would also like to add that with a team spine of Stojkovic,Vidic,Stankovic,and Zigic,to go along with talented players like Ivanovic,Krasic,and Jovanovic,then this Serbian team can show the world that players from this part of Europe not only have the technical ability in the locker like they always have had,but also the physical part of the game that players from this part of Europe have sometimes lacked in the past.Good luck and cheers.
Posted from United Kingdom
Ghana has to qualify beyond this group stage. its a group to watch out for
http://naija-konnect.com/hots-on-the-web/
How good is Neven Subotic really? Is he worth all the money that City seem willing to spend on him? Haven’t really watched much Bundesliga football this season, but he sounds exciting.
I really like a lot of the Serbian footballers, and I really hope that Milijas will excel in South Africa next summer. You just have to love his magnificent distribution.
Posted from 
Norway
Well , i don’t know . I haven’t been too impressed . He did make a mistake that led to a Romania goal in the Serbia 3 – Romania 2 win . That’s all I have noticed though ; maybe he has made other contributions .
serbia is gnna top this group serbia is very underestimated they have so much talent like vidic,subotic,kolarov,ivanovic,matic,tosic,stankovic,krasic,kacar,zigic,milijas,ljajic,kuzmanovic and way more and they all play in europes biggest leaguess first team unlike ghana and certainly australia ghana are ok but not very good, but australia have crap players and they have some in europe which arent even in big teams prob biggest team is everton cahill please compare that to serbia, like players from man u, chelsea, inter, lazio, fiorentina,
Posted from Australia
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I highly respect the Australian team and I do give them solid chances of progression, they could even be topping the group in the end without it being a huge surprise for me. I’ll stick with my claim that it’s a very balanced group in which almost anything is possible, but Serbia has what it takes to defeat all three of it’s rivals if properly prepared and motivated by our “miracle-worker” Antić. Whatever I say, it will sound either arrogant or pessimistic, but I’m actually trying to be as realistic as I can. I repeat that anything is possible in this group, but also that Serbia should have what it takes to defeat both Australia and Ghana, maybe even Germany.
The thing I don’t like is the history: Germany is our traditional bogey team, while Australia and the African teams seem to be unbeatable in all the matches played at all levels in the last few years. At least I couldn’t say we haven’t got an interesting group, it should be interesting for all the teams just to play it.
@John: Sorry if I missed some of Australia’s key players, I’ve just mentioned the ones I could think of at the moment. This Emerton guy looks like an interesting player, but I doubt Mark Viduka is anywhere near his best at this time, is he even a starter for the NT?
@Tom: Well, I think the only team in a group with a much stronger defense than offense is Serbia, while both Ghana and Germany seem to have their best players a lot higher up the pitch.
But that doesn’t count much, because if you look at the statistics, Serbia has A LOT of goals scored with relatively obscure players like Krasić and Jovanović playing extraordinarily well on the flanks and making Serbia extremely dangerous up front. Defensive players like Vidić and Ivanović definitely do an excellent job in defense, but unlike the last WC qualifiers in which me scored less goals and conceded only one, the main strenght of this Serbian team are it’s offensive capabilities. We should thank Antić for that.