Kerr’s Faroes reign opens with Serb test
A full 14 points separates the Faroes, at the bottom of the table with one point, from the Serbians, and even though the latter are likely to be without Manchester United’s Nemanja Vidic, who is injured, and the suspended pair of Bosko Jankovic and captain Dejan Stankovic, they will go into the game as hot favourites to pick up another three points.
However, following an unconvincing 1-0 win over Austria on Saturday, Serbian coach Radomir Antic has been anxious to downplay expectations of a ritual slaughter in the north Atlantic.
“The only thing certain is that it won’t be easy,” he said. “They have a new head coach and they will be totally fired up. But even though we will be missing some regular starters we should have enough depth in the squad to get the job done.”
However, the new head coach of the home side – who has been building towards this night since taking on the job in April – needs no telling that this is a real David v Goliath battle.
“The Faroes are a real minnow and it’s certainly going to be a huge challenge, no doubt,” says Kerr. “We can only hope Serbia come here and, with it being at the end of the season, they see an awkward pitch and drop their concentration.”
Meanwhile former Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari has been appointed as coach of Uzbek side Bunyodkor.
The 60-year-old, who was dismissed by the Blues in February after barely six months in charge, has penned an 18-month contract.
Scolari takes over from fellow Brazilian Zico – who left the club in December to take up the hotseat at CSKA Moscow.
“Uzbek football now creates its own success story, especially Bunyodkor with its remarkable dynamism and prospects,” said Scolari. “I know that I am in the right place at the right time and in the right team.”
Bunyodkor won the Uzbek league and cup double last year and reached the semi-finals of the Asian Champions League.
Elsewhere Sean Scannell is determined to force his way into Giovanni Trapattoni’s World Cup plans. The Crystal Palace youngster is currently preparing for a UEFA Under-19 Championship qualifier against Sweden in the Belgian town of Tessendario.
But the 18-year-old striker is convinced he can feature for Trapattoni in the year ahead.
“I was watching the senior game against Bulgaria the other night thinking I could have come on there and scored a goal,” he said.
“When I’ve been with the senior squad I don’t think I’ve performed to the level that I actually can reach.
“It was a new environment for me. This season coming I’m just going to put everything into making it.
“Next season will be my third as a first team club player so I’m ready. The senior team would be a big team to get into it but I’m going to try.
“I feel they’ll definitely qualify for the World Cup and I know they have some friendlies against the likes of South Africa. I’d love to get a chance in a game like that.”
Scannell has been capped at B international level and travelled with the senior squad to Portugal last year.
A double-hernia operation curtailed his season but the teenager has targeted a return to the senior squad as soon as possible.
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