Serbia wary of Germany

PORT ELIZABETH: With a previous wound from their opening-match defeat to Ghana, Serbia’s striker Milan Jovanovic believes the only way to stop “machine-like” Germany is to suck up their fears.

Serbia had previously excelled in qualifying to top their table, forcing former champions France into the playoffs which offers the side some hope, and Jovanovic has called on his teammates to go for Germany’s jugular after the 1-0 loss against Ghana.

“Defeat has influenced our mood,” said Jovanovic. “We missed out on our aim against an inferior rival and now we are in a position where we have to get as many points as possible against better teams than us.”

“Germany were very impressive against Australia. They have made the biggest impact at the World Cup so far. They are like a machine, they have seven players going forward. If we want to upset them, we will have to show no fear and play the best we can, because we face a better team.”

Meanwhile, Sami Khedira, who has replaced the injured Michael Ballack in Germany’s midfield, is wary of a Serbian backlash.

Germany, strong contenders for the crown, can all but seal a last-16 ticket with victory over the Serbs. A 4-0 demolition of Australia in their opener has left Joachim Loew’s German side sitting atop Group D.

Goals from Lukas Podolski, Miroslav Klose, Thomas Mueller and Cacau got Germany’s 2010 campaign off to the perfect start. While other World Cup title-contenders like Brazil, England, France and Italy have struggled to varying degrees in their first games Germany were cool, confident and clinical.

A new German star, Mesut Ozil also threatens the Serbs.

“We have always sought an out-and-out number 10 and now we have found one,” said striker Klose. “He is an absolute bonus for us.”

Published in the Express Tribune, June 18^th, 2010.