New Zealand 1-0 Serbia: All-Whites Shock White Eagles

A single goal was the difference between the two teams...

By Stephen Crawford

Nemanja Vidic, Serbia (Getty Images)


New Zealand played hosts to Serbia today in what should have been an easy stroll for the visitors ahead of this summer's fast approaching World Cup.

However, the Serbs failed to notch a single goal. Their only eventful contribution to the match came when ex-Valencia striker Nikola Zigic got himself booked for bad behaviour.

At the other end, New Zealand's German-born striker Shane Smeltz put his side ahead after only 22 minutes. The 28-year-old's strike would prove to be the difference between the sides in the long run, as his solitary goal stood up as the winner.

After a stellar qualifying campaign, Inter midfielder and Serbia captain Dejan Stankovic will be wondering how to rectify the squad's shortcomings before the World Cup commences in under two weeks' time.

Highlights of Serbia-New Zealand can be seen here.


Become a fan of Goal.com International on Facebook! Just click onto Facebook.com/Goal to join the beautiful game's leading fan community...
 

Inter Should Replace Real Madrid-Bound Jose Mourinho With Barcelona's Pep Guardiola - Samuel Eto'o

Eto'o has said Inter will carry on winning without Mourinho...

By Salvatore Landolina

May 29, 2010 10:07:00 AM

Samuel Eto'o - Inter (Getty Images)
Photo Gallery
Zoom
Samuel Eto'o - Inter (Getty Images)

Related Links

Teams

Players

Samuel Eto'o has said Inter can win everything even without Jose Mourinho's special touch as he prepares for life without the treble winning coach who will join Real Madrid on Monday.

"No one can cancel what Inter did. As for Mourinho, he has all my respect for the work we did, but everyone has the right to take their their own decisions," Eto'o told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"Inter are one of the best club's in the world and we can start a cycle here."

Eto'o has no regrets leaving Barcelona for Serie A. He says Inter's treble winning season which saw them crowned kings of Europe means that the best place to play football is in Italy.

"Last summer I heard the same things all the time. Kaka, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Cristiano Ronaldo all went to Spain, thinking La Liga was the best," he added.

"But I went to Inter. An Italian team won the Champions League, that means the best is in Serie A."

Questions have been raised as to whether Inter can continue the legacy post-Mourinho, and Eto'o says they can, only if they replace him with a top coach in Barcelona's Pep Guardiola.

"Pep is one of the best coaches in the world. [Massimo] Moratti would make a great choice if he brings him to Milan," he added.

Become a fan of Goal.com International on Facebook! Just click onto Facebook.com/Goal to join the beautiful game's leading fan community...
Thank you for your comment!
Please enter your name
Please enter your location
Please share your comment!
Comments
74 Comments
 
Advertisement
play pause open close
Inside Goal.Com
  1. Fabio Capello & FA differ on public perception Fabio Capello & FA differ on public perception

    The governing body played the populist game and lost a manager who still had English football's best interests at heart but would not accept responsibility without command

  2. The top 20 clubs in football's money league The top 20 clubs in football's money league

    Deloitte's annual publication of the richest sides in football sees a familiar Spanish duo stretch their advantage over England's finest in 2010-11

  3. How Capello's exit will affect England's players How Capello's exit will affect England's players

    As the national team enters a new era, we take a look at the players who are now destined for big things and those potentially heading for the scrapheap under a new boss

  4. Cartoon: Redknapp sentenced to England service Cartoon: Redknapp sentenced to England service

    Goal.com cartoonist Omar Momani gives us his unique take on the football news of the day ...

  5. The list of clubs that could try to sign Capello The list of clubs that could try to sign Capello

    Now that the Italian is no longer the England head coach, it is likely that a number of high-profile clubs from across Europe and elsewhere will make an attempt to lure him

 
Advertisement
Advertisement