Petkovic Says Yugoslavia Will Qualify for World Cup
November 30, 2000 - 0:0
BELGRADE Yugoslavia Manager Ilija Petkovic said he was convinced his ageing national team would qualify for the 2002 World Cup finals, the daily Sportski Zurnal reported.
Petkovic, under pressure to replace the old guard after Yugoslavia's disappointing Euro 2000 campaign, said "a blend of youth and experience" was the right formula to qualify.
"I am convinced that we will qualify for the World Cup finals but everyone must realize the magnitude of the problem of putting the right team together," he said.
"I know that failing to qualify for the World Cup would be unforgivable.
Bringing youngsters into the squad is inevitable but not a whole bunch at a time.
"I still have to rely on some of the ageing players because of their vast experience.'' Yugoslavia's opponents in their World Cup qualifying group are Russia, Slovenia, Switzerland, the Faroe Islands and Luxembourg.
The team laboured to a 2-0 win at Luxembourg in September in their only group match so far.
Lazio defender Sinisa Mihajlovic, one of the veterans, said recently their time belonged to the past, adding that talented youngsters should be the team's new backbone even if it was gamble.
"I would take that chance at the expense of not qualifying for the World Cup 2002 finals. The long-term gain would be having a proper team for the future," he said.
Mihajlovic said several older players, including himself, would never be criticized or left on the bench and that youngsters with no authority on the pitch would pay the price.
"The coach must elect the first eleven without being sentimental to anyone. Only then will the team live up to expectations," he said.
Mateja Kezman, one of the newer arrivals who has played impressively since his close-season move to PSV Eindhoven from Partizan Belgrade, agreed.
"Sitting on the bench and playing in teaspoon doses is difficult for me," Kezman said.
"With all due respect it is unbelievable that I've never been in the starting line-up for Yugoslavia." But Petkovic said he himself had the best view of who should be in the team and should be left alone to pick the side.
"I will select a team capable of doing the job but I have to work in peace. We have to get down to work, make the right moves and stop talking. Mere talk is useless," he said.
(Reuter)
Petkovic, under pressure to replace the old guard after Yugoslavia's disappointing Euro 2000 campaign, said "a blend of youth and experience" was the right formula to qualify.
"I am convinced that we will qualify for the World Cup finals but everyone must realize the magnitude of the problem of putting the right team together," he said.
"I know that failing to qualify for the World Cup would be unforgivable.
Bringing youngsters into the squad is inevitable but not a whole bunch at a time.
"I still have to rely on some of the ageing players because of their vast experience.'' Yugoslavia's opponents in their World Cup qualifying group are Russia, Slovenia, Switzerland, the Faroe Islands and Luxembourg.
The team laboured to a 2-0 win at Luxembourg in September in their only group match so far.
Lazio defender Sinisa Mihajlovic, one of the veterans, said recently their time belonged to the past, adding that talented youngsters should be the team's new backbone even if it was gamble.
"I would take that chance at the expense of not qualifying for the World Cup 2002 finals. The long-term gain would be having a proper team for the future," he said.
Mihajlovic said several older players, including himself, would never be criticized or left on the bench and that youngsters with no authority on the pitch would pay the price.
"The coach must elect the first eleven without being sentimental to anyone. Only then will the team live up to expectations," he said.
Mateja Kezman, one of the newer arrivals who has played impressively since his close-season move to PSV Eindhoven from Partizan Belgrade, agreed.
"Sitting on the bench and playing in teaspoon doses is difficult for me," Kezman said.
"With all due respect it is unbelievable that I've never been in the starting line-up for Yugoslavia." But Petkovic said he himself had the best view of who should be in the team and should be left alone to pick the side.
"I will select a team capable of doing the job but I have to work in peace. We have to get down to work, make the right moves and stop talking. Mere talk is useless," he said.
(Reuter)