File picture of Serbia coach Dragan Stojkovic. AP
Doha: Serbia coach Dragan Stojkovic insisted Wednesday his aspect are “afraid of no one” as they put together to start their World Cup marketing campaign in opposition to the favourites Brazil.
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“Brazil is a good group. For me it’s a golden technology in the meanwhile and we anticipate after all a tough sport however we should concentrate on our soccer and attempt to be good opponents,” Stojkovic informed reporters forward of their Group G opener at Doha’s Lusail Stadium on Thursday.
Serbia didn’t make it out of their group 4 years in the past after shedding 2-0 to Brazil of their ultimate match.
This time, nonetheless, they’re probably harmful darkish horses in Qatar after topping their qualifying group forward of Portugal and most just lately profitable their UEFA Nations League part.
“We’re afraid of no one on this planet, not even Brazil. We don’t should be afraid,” insisted Stojkovic, who was appointed in February final yr to succeed Ljubisa Tumbakovic after Serbia didn’t qualify for Euro 2020.
Ranked twenty first within the FIFA rankings, Serbia do nonetheless come into their opening match in Group G with issues surrounding the health of a key participant within the form of Juventus winger Filip Kostic.
“It’s a big query mark as as to if he’s going to hitch us as a result of he received an harm in his final sport with Juventus,” mentioned Stojkovic earlier than including that striker Aleksandar Mitrovic is anticipated to play.
The 28-year-old has been in glorious type for Fulham and has scored 9 instances in 12 Premier League matches this season.
Nonetheless, he didn’t play in his membership’s final two video games because of an ankle harm.
“Mitrovic prior to now 4 or 5 days has been working with the group and the excellent news is that he feels no ache within the space the place he had the harm,” added the coach.
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