Serbs urged to ‘make history’

SERBIA coach Radomir Antic is backing his players to make history tonight – but claims they are under no pressure.

Antic’s side can reach the second round of the World Cup for the first time if they beat Australia in their final Group D game in Nelspruit.

A draw might even be sufficient for the Serbians, who exited after the group stage four years ago, depending on the outcome of Ghana’s clash with Germany in Johannesburg.

Antic, the veteran former Barcelona and Real Madrid coach, said: “We know that we have an opportunity of historical significance tomorrow and we will try to do our best.

“I would not like to put any additional pressure on my boys by saying they have to, but when I say I believe in my team, I say it quite truthfully. I am not just saying it.

“I am optimistic because I know how my boys have performed during their last three training sessions – these were actually the best three sessions ever.

“This shows their spirit and now we have an opportunity to show it.”

One problem for the Serbians, looking ahead, is that six of their squad are on yellow cards but Antic’s confidence is not tempered.

The 61-year-old, who will have Aleksandar Lukovic available again after suspension, added: “I know my line-up. I have tried to have a balance in my team and I think in the previous game showed I was right in this approach.

“When I said the last three trainings were the best, I meant each one of the players did his best.

“That is why I do not think we will have any problems with rhythm, shape, passing. I am really confident and in a very realistic manner.”

Australia have twice felt rough justice after the sendings-off of Tim Cahill and Harry Kewell against Germany and Ghana respectively.

Comments from both players since have led critics to brand the Socceroos as a team of whingers.

Everton star Cahill said: “Australia have never been given the fair go” while Kewell felt unjustly treated after being dismissed for handball on the goalline.

Those comments have been seized upon in certain sections of the media while Football Federation Australia president Frank Lowy weighed in by saying, “We’ve got to accept those decisions, whingeing is not a trait we should follow”.

Captain Lucas Neill is incensed at how his side is now being portrayed in some quarters and yesterday mounted a strong defence on behalf of his team-mates.

Neill said: “Every single player went out of that dressing room the other day and took it on the chin.

“There is nothing we could have done about it.

“My quote was, ‘We didn’t get decisions going our way’. That is not whingeing. That is just the way it is.”

Having served his ban, Cahill is now available to face the Serbs – surprise victors over Germany last Friday – but Neill’s Galatasaray team-mate Kewell and Craig Moore must sit it out.

Kewell claimed his controversial red card had “killed” his World Cup but Neill will not give up the fight for the former Liverpool winger.

“We are going to give him another game, we are going to try anyway,” Neill said.

“We have one goal, that is to win our next game against a very good team.”