Rising Stars, Injuries Bring Suspense to Serbia 2010 World Cup Roster
IT’S BEEN A LONG ROAD to the World Cup and the reality of it all is just starting to settle in – the excitement, the anticipation and the sheer madness of this summer’s fast approaching soccer conglomerate all heightened by the most significant revelation thus far in the four year journey leading up to the first whistle: official team rosters. The 30-man list provides tangible evidence to eager fans of the coming competition and leaves sports analysts and zealots scheming until the opening match. Well, those already jumping out of their seats won’t have to wait much longer, as this special moment in the rocky path to Johannesburg will arrive in only a few hours. As the announcement still lingers unrevealed, though, one’s curiosity wanders – which is why I have compiled, below, my predictions for the White Eagles’ World Cup roster. Enjoy, and remember – patience is a virtue. The Starting Squad Goalkeeper Goalkeepers are often subject to a lot of pressure, especially in the World Cup format. Fortunately, Wigan’s Vladimir Stojković plays an important part in keeping Eagle fans calm by keeping balls out of the net. He is the sure pick as starting keeper, but don’t count out Dišljenković, who shares his fellow keeper’s first name and has 7 caps, as an option for the Serbs should a problem arise. Defense Serbia’s “Famous Four” cleaned house in the backfield a mere four years ago and the rock-solid backline is showing no signs of slowing down in the coming weeks. Expect to see Manchester United’s Vidić and Usinese’s Luković control the defense in the center as Chelsea’s Ivanović and Lazio’s Kolarov support them from the flanks. With Ivanović hurting, though, and Ivica Dragutinović, a likely replacement (who was also the victim of Luiz Felipe Scolari’s fist in Euro 2008 qualifiers), struggling with an injury he sustained from training with Sevilla not long ago, a slew of able backs are at the ready. 1860 Munich’s Antonio Rukavina appears the most apt substitute of Serbia’s backs but with Obradović’s return and Borussia Dortmund’s Neven Subotić also available it could become a competitive position on the field. Midfield The shaky, undisciplined midfield that caused Serbia so much anguish in 2006 is no more, as Inter’s Stanković, captain of the team, will run the show surrounded by Milos Krasić and Milan Jovanović. Backed by Wolverhampton’s Nenad Milijaš, Stanković will not only have the luxury of distributing the ball to speedy wingers but also the comfort of a similarly composed and precise center midfielder as a partner. With able bodies like Manchester’s Zoran Tošić and Stuttgart’s Kuzmanović, the White Eagles possess experience and talent from the bench as well as from the pitch, and as unfortunate as injuries like Gojko Kačar’s are, the Serbs are stacked with enough skill to fill any holes in the midfield. Attack One of the Serbs’ most pervading issues four years ago was their dangerous lack of scoring power up front. Now, with the towering body of Valencia’s Nikola Žigić ready to finish crosses above the competition and Ajax’s Marko Pantelić at his side, the White Eagles have a fighting chance of advancing past the group stage. With some impressive numbers from their strikers in qualifiers, the attack is a force to be reckoned with. Unfortunately, the Serbs will be short of the experience Danko Lazović, with 34 caps and 10 goals, could have brought to the frontline, as he was injured in a club game only recently. Up for Grabs In such a competitive arena, the final spots on the roster are always hard to call. The aura of the grandest stage of them all, though, highlights the standout players ready to fill them. Defense As apprentices to Serbia’s world renown back four, Genoa’s Nenad Tomović and PSV Eindhoven’s Jagoš Vuković, who both carry two caps under their respective belts, are young but promising additions to the tradition and, possibly, to Serbia’s roster. Also look for the homegrown Pavle Ninkov to possibly make an appearance on the list as a World Cup hopeful. Midfield The most promising of the midfielders on the bubble this year is Miralem Sulejmani, hands down. The 21-year-old Ajax winger already has 6 caps and is sure to make an international impression in the coming years. Younger still is Fiorentina’s Adem Ljajić, a prodigy who will almost certainly not make an appearance this summer but who most definitely deserves a place on the roster. Finally, Chelsea’s Nemanja Matić will also likely receive a spot on the list for his prowess and potential as a young attacking mid. All three of these players serve as evidence to the windfall that will greet Serbia’s already talented midfield in the coming years. Attack Dragan Mrđa is sure to make an impact in Serbia’s limited attack already marred by injuries. With three caps and two goals, the 26-year-old FK Vojvodina striker will likely become an important part of the team this summer and in future competitions. The younger Dejan Lekić will also probably make the squad, though whether he will have the chance to see any playing time is unlikely. The Bottom Line A team as heavily affected by injuries as Serbia will see a lot of new blood taking the reigns of their fate in the tournament, with hopefully positive results. If some key, rising players can peak at this crucial moment in the team’s history, they could turn around their careers by taking advantage of the open-ended situation. In other words, it’s clutch time for the White Eagles younger squad, as they will end up being more important than anyone previously suspected.
