In this article, Live Soccer TV looks at both Serbia and Australia’s views prior to their match, but instead of making usual analysis on both countries, we turn our attention to their quotes in order to get direct, and explicit ideas from the players which are anticipated to get involve in June 23’s clash at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit. For the reader’s information, quotes in this World Cup post are mainly taken from FIFA’s website.
Australia Quotes – 2010 FIFA World Cup – Group D
Brett Emerton: “Australia does not have any physical disadvantage against Serbia”
The midfielder has declared that the Socceroos had a great opportunity to defeat the Serbians tonight, since Australia was not having any physical problem. Harry Kewell and Tim Cahill are two players who have already been punished with match-bans in the 2010 World Cup on the Australians’ side, but Emerton is confident that his team can get out of Group D. Below is his quote:
“I think physically, the team is in very good shape. All the boys have worked brilliantly coming into this World Cup, so I can’t see that being a predicament.
“We’ve played the majority of the 2010 FIFA World Cup with 10 men so far and both have been very harsh cards. It is sad to lose Harry, but we get Tim back, and after our good performance against Ghana, we should go into this match with full confidence.”
Brett Emerton: “Germany really have to beat Ghana by 4 or 3 goals”
Emerton also spoke about Group D’s other encounter between Germany and Ghana, and the Australian talisman revealed his team’s desire to hear that the Black Stars have been beaten with a great goal-margin by the DFB Eleven. In fact, if the Germans were to destroy the Ghanaians, then the Socceroos would only need to beat Serbia by 2 goals or less. In reference to this scenario, this is what Emerton explained:
“I have made the calculations plenty of times, and in the Australia squad, we’ve all talked about the different scenarios. It is still possible. Germany could beat Ghana 3-0 or 4-0, and if this happens, then we could be content with a 2-0 or 1-0 win over our rivals Serbia. We will all give it our best shot.”
Serbia Quotes – 2010 FIFA World Cup – Group D
Milan Jovanovic: “It will be difficult, but we have to beat Australia”
Serbian forward Milan Jovanovic made the headlines on Day 2 when he stunned Germany’s army by scoring a loan goal to keep Serbia in Group D’s race for the round of 16. Looking at his performance against the DFB Eleven, it is understandable that Jovanovic will appear for the Europeans against Australia. Speaking to the press ahead of this match, this is what Jovanovic said:
“It will not be easy (in the game against Australia). We have to beat Australia, they are a great team. They allowed 4 goals against Germany, but they still are organized, and difficult to defeat. They also have stars who play in Europe.
“Well, we want to make an impact in the 2010 World Cup. In the meantime, we are focusing on beating Australia to qualify for the round of 16. It will be huge for Serbian football and for all our fans back home.”
Radomir Antic: “Australia are good and dangerous”
Serbia coach Antic’s view was not too different from Jovanovic’s own. The manager also showed desire and caution.
“In the Australia-Ghana match, Australia had to change their strategy as the game ended," he stated. "They started with speed, but after Harry Kewell was shown a red card, they had to change their formation.
“Anyway, they still got close to ending with a win, and they have shown repeatedly that they are highly competitive. We must focus on our own match as we get prepared.”
Fans are looking ahead to a hot game, but Australia could get the spotlight with good displays from Brett Holman, who scored the Ocenian’s opener against Ghana, and Carl Valeri, who has a pass completion rate of 79%. Probably, Coach Pim Verbeek will want to live out Brett Emerton in spite of his powerful psychology, since he is his player with the less acceptable behavior on the field.
Group D Standings – Day 2 – 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa tournament
Ghana – 4 points
Germany – 3 points
Serbia – 3 points
Australia – 1 point
