Well, looking at the Serbian squad on paper, I'm not that worried. However, when I saw Serbia's B-Team up close and personal smashing Japan in Osaka, I gotta say, I was sweating bullets. I was thinking, "my god, if this is the Serbia's SECOND team, how can Australia compete with the first team?"
However, it was indeed a friendly against Japan and Japan had nothing to gain and the players playing for Serbia had everything to gain (World Cup consideration selection). Also, a few of Japan's best players were out and/or overseas.
I will reserve my judgement on the Serbian National team until the stakes are higher.
It amazes me that even though Serbia is fielding a team full of really good players playing for big teams (Chelsea, Valencia, Liverpool, Lazio etc), they still don't have a world class goalkeeper. Now, admittedly, I don't have much knowledge of Vladimir Stojković, but surely all the loans he's been given to other clubs is an indication that he isn't a very good player?
Interesting that Serbia's weak spot (Goalkeepers) is an area where Australia is probably at its strongest. Australia always has a tendency to produce really good goalkeepers which is something I find baffling. I just wish Australia could produce some nice, selfish forwards as good as we produce goalkeepers.
Piksi_10 wrote:As a Serb, I must say that Australia does not scare me at all. Technically, Australia is the least technically skilled squad in the group, but one thing Australia has more so than any other team is the fighting spirit.
Thanks for recognizing this. I'm sure most people from other countries probably dismiss Australia's tendency to punch above our weight as 'luck.' We do have a knack and hunger to kill giants, that's for sure. Australia's tall poppy syndrome going into overdrive. I guess it must be our convict origins or something to 'stick it to the man.'
I for one hope the Serbian team don't realize this and underestimate us. We can then most likely fly under the radar and poach a few goals or two.
Never give up, never surrender. :)