Penalty gives Ghana victory over 10-man Serbia

The fact that some people are blaming the loss on politics and Ghana's stance on Kosovo independence is appalling.

Ghana’s team dominated.

Serbia tried hard and failed. It is as simple as that.

This is FIFA, this is competition.

This has nothing to do with Kosovo, Jeremic, or Tadic. This is sport, entertainment…

For once, please clear your heads from all the conspiracies and enjoy life, entertainment, and sports.

Not everything revolves around "Kosovo is Serbia" or "Kosovo is Serbia's Jerusalem".

There is no room for nationalism in sport.

Congratulations to Ghana for being the winner.

That has to be the worst ever game I have ever seen. what the hell were the serbs doing kicking the ball back to the goalie for more than half the game? an absolute pi$$ poor effort

In exchange for not recognizing KiM, they get to beat our national team in Africa after an all-too-amateur & convenient hand-ball by Kuzmanovic - from a team that was #1 in its group to lose to a team like Ghana just like that doesnt happen naturally.
(highduke, 13 June 2010 17:47)

Why have you got to relate sport to politics? Events like the world cup are meant to be an enjoyable politics-free event for everyone all over the world. Politics and Sport should be kept separate. Politics ruins sport.

Serbia gave even worse showing than I expected. They may as well go home now rather than face more humiliation.

Such a shame that Serbia didn’t win – but the crowd, including the Serb supporters, looked as if they really enjoyed themselves! The first game of a tournament can often be a surprise, so hopefully Serbia will quickly recover and start stronger in the next game. They now know that every game is crucial. But take comfort that Serbia qualified in the first place – this shows there is a great deal of talent there. My own team (Scotland) once again, failed to make the grade!

Comments on this site so far shows that sport really can bring us all together. Well, except for those whose paranoia and conspiracy theories run deep through their veins – Highduke, what planet are you on!?


Peace and respect and sporting greetings to one and all.

The fact that some people are blaming the loss on politics and Ghana's stance on Kosovo independence is appalling.

Ghana’s team dominated.

Serbia tried hard and failed. It is as simple as that.

This is FIFA, this is competition.

This has nothing to do with Kosovo, Jeremic, or Tadic. This is sport, entertainment…

For once, please clear your heads from all the conspiracies and enjoy life, entertainment, and sports.

Not everything revolves around "Kosovo is Serbia" or "Kosovo is Serbia's Jerusalem".

There is no room for nationalism in sport.
(Fluid, 13 June 2010, 18:42)

Agreed. Although I was cheering for Serbia, I must hand it to Ghana... they played hard and clean. They are a class-act.

People this is sport and not politics.

I'm sure that something went wrong, this wasn't the same serbian team that played during qualifications. There is that reason why only 32 countries make it to this event and there is no weak team. Never underestimate your opponent in such event. Ghana played perfect game but Serbia created lot of chances and score could have been very different.
I know there are a lot of upset serbs but there are a lot of non serbs who bet money on serbia today(including me) and lost it.
God damn it, I got Slovenia, Serbia and Germany as todays winners and look what happened.

Personally I doubt that Serbia will move on to the next round, however I wish them luck.

As an Albanian from Albania i wanted Serbia to lose the game. I will support all the teams from Europe besides Serbia and Greece.
(uli, 14 June 2010 06:57)

wow, i bet your neighbours just LOVE you!

The first half of the match hasn't been too interesting in all fairness.
(Ian, UK, 13 June 2010 16:40)

I agree, and must say that most matches thus far have not been too exciting... UK/US was dull, as was France's first game. I hope it picks up a bit as the week wears on...

Talk about disappointing. Kuzmanovic ought not to be trying to learn how to grow wings in the penalty area.
And Pantelic should be disissed from the team straight away. Lazovic should start.

Also we have a free kick problem, because of tall players. We have a couple of good free kickers, but because of the tall players we get confused whether it should be a direct shot or indirect to head. And it means we practice direct free kicks less, which in the time of Jugoslavija at least, we were such experts in compeitions.

Just wanted to add to prove the match was fixed 1. SRB Coach Antic did not even look remotely surprised 2. Lukovic ejection was totally unwarranted 3. Ghana's pro-KiM stance 4. superior Serbian team 5. amateurish handball by Kuzmanovic 7. ...in the penalty box 8. ...at the end of the match. Reminds me of SRB losing the gold to the inferior RUS team in 08 Euro Volleyball for its KiM stance.
(highduke, 13 June 2010 18:00)

For God's sake highduke, what kind of a wacky comment is that. Serbia has nobody to blame only themselves. They were inept and lacklustre. Ghana looked the more fluid and structured team and having a game plan helped them alot. The loss of Michael Essien did not matter a jot and in all honesty they should have won by more.

Trying to pin the blame of the defeat on Tadic & Jeremic is just off the wall. I'm sure they are as dissapointed as you and me but unlike yourself, I'm placing the blame squarely on Antic and the players. What's killing Serbia is lack of firepower up front. Leaving Suljemani at home was just plain madness. Anyway what the hell is Ante Rukavina doing on the bench?

To sum it up, Serbia were simply second best on the day, no complaints, Ghana deserved all 3 points. Lukovic deserved his marching orders and Kuzmanovic should count himself lucky he is not hanging by his underpants on the team hotel flagpole. The whole team need a collective kick up the backside. Sour grapes will not win games. Take it on the chin like a man and accept that you were beaten.

The pressure is on now. Next 2 games are a must win to ensure qualification from the group and judging from Germany's display tonight thats a mighty tall order.

It's game on.

I am a Ghanaian and I want to inform my Serbian football brothers and sisters that the Black Stars from Ghana was their hardest test. Serbia, the strongest team from Europe, will qualify. I was more worried playing Serbia than I will be playing the rest. Lastly, Black Stars is not a name, it is a duty. LOVE from all Ghanaians to all Serbs. PEACE AND UNITY.

Unlucky about the hand-ball and the penalty.

As an Albanian from Albania i wanted Serbia to lose the game. I will support all the teams from Europe besides Serbia and Greece. I hope that B 92 will let me express my opinion. I believe that Serbian team got what they deserved. Ghana played better.
(uli, 14 June 2010 06:57)

Oh, I'm a Bosnian Catholic and I support every Balkan team in the World Cup (Slovenia/Serbia). I wish to inform you that your little "country" has nothing. Why comment on a Srpski website etc?

I'm from Bosnia, and my girlfriend is Serbian. (we live in Australia).

Classic balkan idiocy with Kuzmanovic getting confused with which sport he is playing. Realized too late that he wasn't playing basketball and complained too no avail. There are always one of these guys on the team. Wouldn't want to be him when he goes pubbing back in beograd.

Highduke & Ataman,
Now, who in the world rigged a world cup game? And, why is Serbia on the receiving end?

Was it the US, Germany, England and their conspirators?

You should be able to respect the fact that your team lost fair and square.

Serbia is a better team just like England is better than the US. But, the better team doesn't always win.

uli

You should rather hope that Albania even makes it into a World Cup, before wishing badly for teams who make it.

As an Albanian from Albania i wanted Serbia to lose the game. I will support all the teams from Europe besides Serbia and Greece. I hope that B 92 will let me express my opinion. I believe that Serbian team got what they deserved. Ghana played better.

Ajde Srbija!

Jason - There is no UK team in this tournament.

On another note, I hope Serbia recover to make an impact in the tournament.
(Stuart from Scotland, 14 June 2010 04:32)

Stuart, my deepest aplogies for the mistake sir. Blame it on Jelen:)

I wish Scotland and Wales were in the Cup. Let's hope for an upset with Serbia-Germany... miracles can happen, eh?

@ Jason - There is no UK team in this tournament.

On another note, I hope Serbia recover to make an impact in the tournament.

What is their problem. They've got a mental block or something. Pantelic was awful, and to see him smiling at the national anthems was pathetic. You can do that if you are good.

People who think that sports & politics are mutually exclusive to the point that matches cant be rigged for political favors if there is enough riding on both live in fantasy land. The govt owns the national team. Ghana ('black stars') beating Serbia ('White Eagles') in Africa is BIG for Ghanaian African pride just as KiM is to Serbs. Expect to see more Euro teams playing 'badly' against Africans bc its un-PC to easily beat African teams (as in all past tournaments) in their 1st World Cup Ever.
(highduke, 14 June 2010 06:13)

Yes it was Tadic/Russians/Yanks/Tito/Lizzard people/David Icke's fault that Serbia lost yesterday.

They simply were not good enough. What part of that do you not understand?

Hernan,
What of Serbs done to Muslims? Did Serbs rape and enslave Muslims for 500 years, no my friend your big brother Turks did that to Serbs. ANd in WWI when the muslims fought with the oppressors Austria/hungary, Serbia almost lost their entire male population, how many muslims/catholic croats died defending freedom and justice - zero. And in WWII when the muslims and croats threw roses at hitlers feet and killed hundreds of thousands of children, women, and old people, so much so that your proud leader pavelic had a bucket of serbian children eyes on his desk at all times. And who stood up for freedom again? yes the mighty serb, and who won again, the Serb. Three times the strongest nations in the world helped my croats and muslims lost, three times Serbs won. And the 90's the muslims started it again and then cried to the world for help...Repulika Srpska exists that is a Serbian victory. And serbia took on the world again NATO/America the strongest military ever and they couldn't touch the Serbs. You have all lost to the Serbs again and again because you fought with the oppressor and against freedom. So, what was that you were saying Serbs did what, oh yah they were kind enough to forgive you, croats and albanians multiple times after you lost every major war.
you should build a statue to Serbia.

COME ON SERBIA!

I'd like to Serbia get passed group stages. Serbia has a tough group, Germany is the hardest team Serbia has to face.

The first half of the match hasn't been too interesting in all fairness.

Their caution and lack of real conviction got the better of them!Unfortunately they are going home.Germany will be much harder than Ghana.For once just once I hope they just go for it!

i cant beleive this result
serbia has the best players in the world
i just to not think that they realize what it means to put on a serbian unuform
they should ask the americans what it means to wear you countries logo
its once in lifetime thing
and they should be made aware of that not just pose for pictures and there future eu
contacts ,this has been serbias main weakness since the fall of yugo
my opinion to the serb team
forget who you play for to get your paycheck and start playing for mother serbia who put you on serbian side
zivela srbija ajde braco zoran janjic

Well, even I made some efforts in order to watch this game. Of course, I must admit that this was actually the first football match that I ever watched for longer than 45 min all together. In addition, I admit that part of the game I missed due to hypnosis that I experienced while following that ball rolling from one side of the field to the other side. Yes, I fall asleep for some 10-15 min.

Unfortunately, I woke up just a bit before Ghana gave marvellous kick.
Why did I have to wake up before that bloody kick?

Umm, I wasn't excited, but I wish to believe it was a match between white and black Serbia taking into consideration the fact that Ghana's couch is a Serb.

Well, was it good match or not, cannot really say cause I know nothing about football and its rules and it is always boring to watch. It really has some hypnotic impact on me making me sleepy.

However, I will continue watching and support our Eagles until the very end. I would just like to kindly ask our Eagles to start some flying and stop crawling.

"There is no room for nationalism in sport.
(Fluid, 13 June 2010 18:42"

That would be the ideal situation but unfortunately it is wishful thinking. Other examples of wishful thinking: world peace, corporate responsibility,no racism and prejudice, and no match fixing, etc etc.

Second, what does our belief in a Serbian Jerusalem have to do with anything. Sounds like rambling to me.

In exchange for not recognizing KiM, they get to beat our national team in Africa after an all-too-amateur & convenient hand-ball by Kuzmanovic - from a team that was #1 in its group to lose to a team like Ghana just like that doesnt happen naturally.

Just wanted to add to prove the match was fixed 1. SRB Coach Antic did not even look remotely surprised 2. Lukovic ejection was totally unwarranted 3. Ghana's pro-KiM stance 4. superior Serbian team 5. amateurish handball by Kuzmanovic 7. ...in the penalty box 8. ...at the end of the match. Reminds me of SRB losing the gold to the inferior RUS team in 08 Euro Volleyball for its KiM stance.

bganon,
i think Pantelic played well against Poljska.
Anyways, the look and feel of the game was like Serbia was asleep. Very bad game.

I am a Latin American of Albanian origine. An these Albanians who mix soccer with politics, are pure hatemongering! What a disgrace!

I was watching it on the TV in Hungary. It really appeared that the Serbs didn't act like playing in earnest. Many factors could be, including the person of Ghana coach - he really needed that victory for his personal carrier and we all know, what country he is from.

The basketball - play did really look weird, I could not believe my eyes.

Ultimately the team which played (much) better won - but I have a doubt it has anything to do with KiM, rather personal relations.

Not even the basketball play was convincing but the "number" of goal attempts Serbs made. It was close to zero. I, too, feel it was rigged.

After the first match, Serbia is definitely going home.

No chance against Germany.

-My next holiday is in Ghana
thank you very much.-
Rocky

You seem to forget that a Serb is coaching Ghana! You also should put more effort into supporting Albanian sports then to chear for some other team to loose.
That way perhaps Albanians can accomplish something too that could make them proud over their sportsmen/women.

Serbia will most certainly not make it to the next round but it means a lot to be part of this world event. Great job getting to the World Championships! They did so as the only balkan team.

It all boiled down to nerves/confidence for Serbia, as much as anybody trains for a big occasion this plays a large part. The prime example this year of that is the French open final, Sam Stosur beat Henin, Williams, Jankovic only to be beaten in the final by a relative nobody in comparison to previous opponents. In the final she was stiff and was expected to win which was too much to overcome. This is the same with Serbia; Krasic who should have owned the midfield was inhibited as the rest of the players were. When a man down and nothing to lose they played the way they should have earlier in the match. Ghana played (without the skill) throwing caution to the wind, running at full pace and came up with the goods as Australia in 2006 and South Korea earlier. Against Germany, Serbia too might go for broke and then we could see a different side. It will be difficult but not impossible.

...I lost my bet. Ghana wins.

Not everything revolves around "Kosovo is Serbia" or "Kosovo is Serbia's Jerusalem".

There is no room for nationalism in sport.
(Fluid, 13 June 2010 18:42 ??
--??
Fluid pls read what you just said.
My next holiday is in Ghana
thank you very much.

This game was fixed, pure and simple. Ghana is a mediocre team that cannot play set pieces; Kuzmanovic (sp?) comes off the bench and does something even 10 year old players know they are not supposed to do. I don't know if it is politics or simple bribery; This White Eagles team should just go home.

I was watching it on the TV in Hungary. It really appeared that the Serbs didn't act like playing in earnest. Many factors could be, including the person of Ghana coach - he really needed that victory for his personal carrier and we all know, what country he is from.

The basketball - play did really look weird, I could not believe my eyes.

Ultimately the team which played (much) better won - but I have a doubt it has anything to do with KiM, rather personal relations.

Not even the basketball play was convincing but the "number" of goal attempts Serbs made. It was close to
zero. I, too, feel it was rigged.
(Ataman, 13 June 2010 21:06)

What? How can a world cup game be rigged, especially when your team dominated for more than 3 quarters of the game? Please, use your head.

Lukovic was sent of because he was holding the other players arm, then he makes himself look like an idiot because he pretends to not know why he got it.

Though, I do feel VERY sorry for Kuzmanovic, handballing like that. But then again, a handball in the box, is a handball in the box. He purposely put his hands up in the air, because he knew a Ghanian was behind him. It's his own fault for putting his hands up. Serbia, unfortunately just like the Australian Socceroos have limited chance of progressing. The only good Serbian player is Nikola Zigic. I except him to move to a BIG club after Africa. Pantelic needs to learn how to create chances and stop whining when he doesn't score. Jovanovic is skilled and he is a good player. Kuzmanovic, is an amazing player, but he did get unlocky. Lukovic and Lazovic are not good players. Lazovic needs to pull his socks up and stop being dirty.

Thanks!

Its ok to loose but do it in a normal way. Not by getting one idiot sent off and then another idot who thinks its handball.
I thought this serbian team was different then the previous self-confident Serbian divas. Great coach but shitty players. Comon Kuzmanovic! What the heck were your hands doing in the air? Were you doing the wave? ?&%#"!&! Very dissapointing but nothing I didn't expect. Its the same crap for a team only different package.

I am Croatian and to be honest something fishy happened here. Just like when the English broke Da Silva's and Modric's legs.

Highduke & Ataman,
Now, who in the world rigged a world cup game? And, why is Serbia on the receiving end?
(Metrod, 14 June 2010 06:59)

The only reason would be that for Ghana's couch who is a Serbian the victory was more important than for Serbs, so they yielded.

That sounds of course like a conspiracy theory - but if you followed the game, it was so bad than such ideas can surface.

I'm from Bosnia, and my girlfriend is Serbian. (we live in Australia).
(Sandro, 14 June 2010 20:02)

Of course, after all they've done to you, you still mix pretty well!

ps. Serbia is definitely going home at group stage.

Well the golden rule of such long tournament is start it playing badly and finish it playing well.It si always better to lose in this phase than in knokc out period and you almost always have to have a bad game.On friday it may be just the opposit the germans have a bad day while serbs a good one.Anyway in the end it may turn out that this loss brings serbs luck and opens gates to big succes.First of all with Lukovic being redcarted Antic is forced to put Subotic in the team:I did not understand why he did not start him from the beginning.The age cannot be an excuse both Ghanes and german under 21s proved it today.And if Serbia manages to qulify the chances are better now that they qulify in the 2nd place instead of 1st which can be very adventogeus since this way they would avoid Argentina in the quterfinals and my gut feeling is that England is not gonna win goup C so they can also be avoided in 1/8 finals.This was the case wizh croats in 1998 who finished the group 2nd and faced Romania instead of England in the first knokc out round and than marched as far as semis.

Ghana played perfect game but Serbia created lot of chances and score could have been very different.
(Nelli_Canada, 13 June 2010 21:47)

The game was pretty boring and Ghana did not play well at all. The problem is, Serbia played even worse. Since Ghana was really THAT mediocre and since Serbia is among the best in Europe - no wonder many people think the game was rigged.

---

In addition, I admit that part of the game I missed due to hypnosis that I experienced while following that ball rolling from one side of the field to the other side. Yes, I fall asleep for some 10-15 min.
(Biljana, 13 June 2010 22:57)

Can't blame you, the game was really boring. I did not see a single perfect attack on either side. With that performance Ghana will be out. As for "orlovi" - they seem to got a sleep pill, time to wake up because they can.

kuzi burned out from desire ... can´t blame him for that. i´d rather see such a player wearing the jersey then a dull ballerina ...

lukovic shouldn´t have get 1 yellow card, not to mention 2, but he had to get out after the first one by the coach.

rajevac played it clever, stopped and took out the flanks and showed weaknes in creativity in central midfield. while tosic was sitting on the bench, but for this you can´t blame the coach, who was forced to change players by the yellow-red card and couldn´t change as he wished.

this group is to tough to write it off already, but serbia doesn´t have it in her own hands anymore, she needs results from the others, so basically it is over.

My next holiday is in Ghana
thank you very much.
(Rocky, 13 June 2010 22:10)
Just stay in Slovakia and take a day trip to Ukraina.

Difficult to stay out of politics: the currency of Ghana is Cedi (true, not Ceda - they maybe just misspelled it) and "Orlovi" need to have some Kofi to wake up after the sleep pills.

People who think that sports & politics are mutually exclusive to the point that matches cant be rigged for political favors if there is enough riding on both live in fantasy land. The govt owns the national team. Ghana ('black stars') beating Serbia ('White Eagles') in Africa is BIG for Ghanaian African pride just as KiM is to Serbs. Expect to see more Euro teams playing 'badly' against Africans bc its un-PC to easily beat African teams (as in all past tournaments) in their 1st World Cup Ever.

I'm from Bosnia, and my girlfriend is Serbian. (we live in Australia).
(Sandro, 14 June 2010 20:02)

Cool, which city-region if you don't mind me asking Sandro?

Do you have anything else better to do than talk about politics and other BS. This is the World Cup not BS from the political playground. Serbia got beat because if you get 1 yellow card you cannot get another one and you can play hand ball in the penalty area. Let me see did albania or the state of kosovo make it to the world cup???? Are any players of albanian decent playing on any team involved in the World Cup? Nope so please go find someone else to cry about. This is foot ball leave the political BS at the door or just stay outside.

Just wanted to add to prove the match was fixed 1. SRB Coach Antic did not even look remotely surprised 2. Lukovic ejection was totally unwarranted 3. Ghana's pro-KiM stance 4. superior Serbian team 5. amateurish handball by Kuzmanovic 7. ...in the penalty box 8. ...at the end of the match. Reminds me of SRB losing the gold to the inferior RUS team in 08 Euro Volleyball for its KiM stance.

In exchange for not recognizing KiM, they get to beat our national team in Africa after an all-too-amateur & convenient hand-ball by Kuzmanovic - from a team that was #1 in its group to lose to a team like Ghana just like that doesnt happen naturally.

Ajde Srbija!

As an Albanian from Albania i wanted Serbia to lose the game. I will support all the teams from Europe besides Serbia and Greece. I hope that B 92 will let me express my opinion. I believe that Serbian team got what they deserved. Ghana played better.

Not everything revolves around "Kosovo is Serbia" or "Kosovo is Serbia's Jerusalem".

There is no room for nationalism in sport.
(Fluid, 13 June 2010 18:42 ??
--??
Fluid pls read what you just said.
My next holiday is in Ghana
thank you very much.

I was watching it on the TV in Hungary. It really appeared that the Serbs didn't act like playing in earnest. Many factors could be, including the person of Ghana coach - he really needed that victory for his personal carrier and we all know, what country he is from.

The basketball - play did really look weird, I could not believe my eyes.

Ultimately the team which played (much) better won - but I have a doubt it has anything to do with KiM, rather personal relations.

Not even the basketball play was convincing but the "number" of goal attempts Serbs made. It was close to zero. I, too, feel it was rigged.

COME ON SERBIA!

I'd like to Serbia get passed group stages. Serbia has a tough group, Germany is the hardest team Serbia has to face.

The first half of the match hasn't been too interesting in all fairness.

Unlucky about the hand-ball and the penalty.

"There is no room for nationalism in sport.
(Fluid, 13 June 2010 18:42"

That would be the ideal situation but unfortunately it is wishful thinking. Other examples of wishful thinking: world peace, corporate responsibility,no racism and prejudice, and no match fixing, etc etc.

Second, what does our belief in a Serbian Jerusalem have to do with anything. Sounds like rambling to me.

The first half of the match hasn't been too interesting in all fairness.
(Ian, UK, 13 June 2010 16:40)

I agree, and must say that most matches thus far have not been too exciting... UK/US was dull, as was France's first game. I hope it picks up a bit as the week wears on...

i cant beleive this result
serbia has the best players in the world
i just to not think that they realize what it means to put on a serbian unuform
they should ask the americans what it means to wear you countries logo
its once in lifetime thing
and they should be made aware of that not just pose for pictures and there future eu
contacts ,this has been serbias main weakness since the fall of yugo
my opinion to the serb team
forget who you play for to get your paycheck and start playing for mother serbia who put you on serbian side
zivela srbija ajde braco zoran janjic

As an Albanian from Albania i wanted Serbia to lose the game. I will support all the teams from Europe besides Serbia and Greece. I hope that B 92 will let me express my opinion. I believe that Serbian team got what they deserved. Ghana played better.
(uli, 14 June 2010 06:57)

Oh, I'm a Bosnian Catholic and I support every Balkan team in the World Cup (Slovenia/Serbia). I wish to inform you that your little "country" has nothing. Why comment on a Srpski website etc?

I'm from Bosnia, and my girlfriend is Serbian. (we live in Australia).

Well, even I made some efforts in order to watch this game. Of course, I must admit that this was actually the first football match that I ever watched for longer than 45 min all together. In addition, I admit that part of the game I missed due to hypnosis that I experienced while following that ball rolling from one side of the field to the other side. Yes, I fall asleep for some 10-15 min.

Unfortunately, I woke up just a bit before Ghana gave marvellous kick.
Why did I have to wake up before that bloody kick?

Umm, I wasn't excited, but I wish to believe it was a match between white and black Serbia taking into consideration the fact that Ghana's couch is a Serb.

Well, was it good match or not, cannot really say cause I know nothing about football and its rules and it is always boring to watch. It really has some hypnotic impact on me making me sleepy.

However, I will continue watching and support our Eagles until the very end. I would just like to kindly ask our Eagles to start some flying and stop crawling.

I am a Ghanaian and I want to inform my Serbian football brothers and sisters that the Black Stars from Ghana was their hardest test. Serbia, the strongest team from Europe, will qualify. I was more worried playing Serbia than I will be playing the rest. Lastly, Black Stars is not a name, it is a duty. LOVE from all Ghanaians to all Serbs. PEACE AND UNITY.

The fact that some people are blaming the loss on politics and Ghana's stance on Kosovo independence is appalling.

Ghana’s team dominated.

Serbia tried hard and failed. It is as simple as that.

This is FIFA, this is competition.

This has nothing to do with Kosovo, Jeremic, or Tadic. This is sport, entertainment…

For once, please clear your heads from all the conspiracies and enjoy life, entertainment, and sports.

Not everything revolves around "Kosovo is Serbia" or "Kosovo is Serbia's Jerusalem".

There is no room for nationalism in sport.
(Fluid, 13 June 2010, 18:42)

Agreed. Although I was cheering for Serbia, I must hand it to Ghana... they played hard and clean. They are a class-act.

People who think that sports & politics are mutually exclusive to the point that matches cant be rigged for political favors if there is enough riding on both live in fantasy land. The govt owns the national team. Ghana ('black stars') beating Serbia ('White Eagles') in Africa is BIG for Ghanaian African pride just as KiM is to Serbs. Expect to see more Euro teams playing 'badly' against Africans bc its un-PC to easily beat African teams (as in all past tournaments) in their 1st World Cup Ever.

Congratulations to Ghana for being the winner.

Talk about disappointing. Kuzmanovic ought not to be trying to learn how to grow wings in the penalty area.
And Pantelic should be disissed from the team straight away. Lazovic should start.

Also we have a free kick problem, because of tall players. We have a couple of good free kickers, but because of the tall players we get confused whether it should be a direct shot or indirect to head. And it means we practice direct free kicks less, which in the time of Jugoslavija at least, we were such experts in compeitions.

People this is sport and not politics.

I'm sure that something went wrong, this wasn't the same serbian team that played during qualifications. There is that reason why only 32 countries make it to this event and there is no weak team. Never underestimate your opponent in such event. Ghana played perfect game but Serbia created lot of chances and score could have been very different.
I know there are a lot of upset serbs but there are a lot of non serbs who bet money on serbia today(including me) and lost it.
God damn it, I got Slovenia, Serbia and Germany as todays winners and look what happened.

Personally I doubt that Serbia will move on to the next round, however I wish them luck.

uli

You should rather hope that Albania even makes it into a World Cup, before wishing badly for teams who make it.

As an Albanian from Albania i wanted Serbia to lose the game. I will support all the teams from Europe besides Serbia and Greece.
(uli, 14 June 2010 06:57)

wow, i bet your neighbours just LOVE you!

I'm from Bosnia, and my girlfriend is Serbian. (we live in Australia).
(Sandro, 14 June 2010 20:02)

Of course, after all they've done to you, you still mix pretty well!

ps. Serbia is definitely going home at group stage.

I am a Latin American of Albanian origine. An these Albanians who mix soccer with politics, are pure hatemongering! What a disgrace!

The fact that some people are blaming the loss on politics and Ghana's stance on Kosovo independence is appalling.

Ghana’s team dominated.

Serbia tried hard and failed. It is as simple as that.

This is FIFA, this is competition.

This has nothing to do with Kosovo, Jeremic, or Tadic. This is sport, entertainment…

For once, please clear your heads from all the conspiracies and enjoy life, entertainment, and sports.

Not everything revolves around "Kosovo is Serbia" or "Kosovo is Serbia's Jerusalem".

There is no room for nationalism in sport.

Serbia gave even worse showing than I expected. They may as well go home now rather than face more humiliation.

-My next holiday is in Ghana
thank you very much.-
Rocky

You seem to forget that a Serb is coaching Ghana! You also should put more effort into supporting Albanian sports then to chear for some other team to loose.
That way perhaps Albanians can accomplish something too that could make them proud over their sportsmen/women.

Serbia will most certainly not make it to the next round but it means a lot to be part of this world event. Great job getting to the World Championships! They did so as the only balkan team.

Highduke & Ataman,
Now, who in the world rigged a world cup game? And, why is Serbia on the receiving end?
(Metrod, 14 June 2010 06:59)

The only reason would be that for Ghana's couch who is a Serbian the victory was more important than for Serbs, so they yielded.

That sounds of course like a conspiracy theory - but if you followed the game, it was so bad than such ideas can surface.

This game was fixed, pure and simple. Ghana is a mediocre team that cannot play set pieces; Kuzmanovic (sp?) comes off the bench and does something even 10 year old players know they are not supposed to do. I don't know if it is politics or simple bribery; This White Eagles team should just go home.

I was watching it on the TV in Hungary. It really appeared that the Serbs didn't act like playing in earnest. Many factors could be, including the person of Ghana coach - he really needed that victory for his personal carrier and we all know, what country he is from.

The basketball - play did really look weird, I could not believe my eyes.

Ultimately the team which played (much) better won - but I have a doubt it has anything to do with KiM, rather personal relations.

Not even the basketball play was convincing but the "number" of goal attempts Serbs made. It was close to
zero. I, too, feel it was rigged.
(Ataman, 13 June 2010 21:06)

What? How can a world cup game be rigged, especially when your team dominated for more than 3 quarters of the game? Please, use your head.

Lukovic was sent of because he was holding the other players arm, then he makes himself look like an idiot because he pretends to not know why he got it.

Though, I do feel VERY sorry for Kuzmanovic, handballing like that. But then again, a handball in the box, is a handball in the box. He purposely put his hands up in the air, because he knew a Ghanian was behind him. It's his own fault for putting his hands up. Serbia, unfortunately just like the Australian Socceroos have limited chance of progressing. The only good Serbian player is Nikola Zigic. I except him to move to a BIG club after Africa. Pantelic needs to learn how to create chances and stop whining when he doesn't score. Jovanovic is skilled and he is a good player. Kuzmanovic, is an amazing player, but he did get unlocky. Lukovic and Lazovic are not good players. Lazovic needs to pull his socks up and stop being dirty.

Thanks!

That has to be the worst ever game I have ever seen. what the hell were the serbs doing kicking the ball back to the goalie for more than half the game? an absolute pi$$ poor effort

Classic balkan idiocy with Kuzmanovic getting confused with which sport he is playing. Realized too late that he wasn't playing basketball and complained too no avail. There are always one of these guys on the team. Wouldn't want to be him when he goes pubbing back in beograd.

Such a shame that Serbia didn’t win – but the crowd, including the Serb supporters, looked as if they really enjoyed themselves! The first game of a tournament can often be a surprise, so hopefully Serbia will quickly recover and start stronger in the next game. They now know that every game is crucial. But take comfort that Serbia qualified in the first place – this shows there is a great deal of talent there. My own team (Scotland) once again, failed to make the grade!

Comments on this site so far shows that sport really can bring us all together. Well, except for those whose paranoia and conspiracy theories run deep through their veins – Highduke, what planet are you on!?


Peace and respect and sporting greetings to one and all.

Jason - There is no UK team in this tournament.

On another note, I hope Serbia recover to make an impact in the tournament.
(Stuart from Scotland, 14 June 2010 04:32)

Stuart, my deepest aplogies for the mistake sir. Blame it on Jelen:)

I wish Scotland and Wales were in the Cup. Let's hope for an upset with Serbia-Germany... miracles can happen, eh?

I am Croatian and to be honest something fishy happened here. Just like when the English broke Da Silva's and Modric's legs.

...I lost my bet. Ghana wins.

In exchange for not recognizing KiM, they get to beat our national team in Africa after an all-too-amateur & convenient hand-ball by Kuzmanovic - from a team that was #1 in its group to lose to a team like Ghana just like that doesnt happen naturally.
(highduke, 13 June 2010 17:47)

Why have you got to relate sport to politics? Events like the world cup are meant to be an enjoyable politics-free event for everyone all over the world. Politics and Sport should be kept separate. Politics ruins sport.

After the first match, Serbia is definitely going home.

No chance against Germany.

Hernan,
What of Serbs done to Muslims? Did Serbs rape and enslave Muslims for 500 years, no my friend your big brother Turks did that to Serbs. ANd in WWI when the muslims fought with the oppressors Austria/hungary, Serbia almost lost their entire male population, how many muslims/catholic croats died defending freedom and justice - zero. And in WWII when the muslims and croats threw roses at hitlers feet and killed hundreds of thousands of children, women, and old people, so much so that your proud leader pavelic had a bucket of serbian children eyes on his desk at all times. And who stood up for freedom again? yes the mighty serb, and who won again, the Serb. Three times the strongest nations in the world helped my croats and muslims lost, three times Serbs won. And the 90's the muslims started it again and then cried to the world for help...Repulika Srpska exists that is a Serbian victory. And serbia took on the world again NATO/America the strongest military ever and they couldn't touch the Serbs. You have all lost to the Serbs again and again because you fought with the oppressor and against freedom. So, what was that you were saying Serbs did what, oh yah they were kind enough to forgive you, croats and albanians multiple times after you lost every major war.
you should build a statue to Serbia.

Their caution and lack of real conviction got the better of them!Unfortunately they are going home.Germany will be much harder than Ghana.For once just once I hope they just go for it!

@ Jason - There is no UK team in this tournament.

On another note, I hope Serbia recover to make an impact in the tournament.

Highduke & Ataman,
Now, who in the world rigged a world cup game? And, why is Serbia on the receiving end?

Was it the US, Germany, England and their conspirators?

You should be able to respect the fact that your team lost fair and square.

Serbia is a better team just like England is better than the US. But, the better team doesn't always win.

Ghana played perfect game but Serbia created lot of chances and score could have been very different.
(Nelli_Canada, 13 June 2010 21:47)

The game was pretty boring and Ghana did not play well at all. The problem is, Serbia played even worse. Since Ghana was really THAT mediocre and since Serbia is among the best in Europe - no wonder many people think the game was rigged.

---

In addition, I admit that part of the game I missed due to hypnosis that I experienced while following that ball rolling from one side of the field to the other side. Yes, I fall asleep for some 10-15 min.
(Biljana, 13 June 2010 22:57)

Can't blame you, the game was really boring. I did not see a single perfect attack on either side. With that performance Ghana will be out. As for "orlovi" - they seem to got a sleep pill, time to wake up because they can.

My next holiday is in Ghana
thank you very much.
(Rocky, 13 June 2010 22:10)
Just stay in Slovakia and take a day trip to Ukraina.

Difficult to stay out of politics: the currency of Ghana is Cedi (true, not Ceda - they maybe just misspelled it) and "Orlovi" need to have some Kofi to wake up after the sleep pills.

It all boiled down to nerves/confidence for Serbia, as much as anybody trains for a big occasion this plays a large part. The prime example this year of that is the French open final, Sam Stosur beat Henin, Williams, Jankovic only to be beaten in the final by a relative nobody in comparison to previous opponents. In the final she was stiff and was expected to win which was too much to overcome. This is the same with Serbia; Krasic who should have owned the midfield was inhibited as the rest of the players were. When a man down and nothing to lose they played the way they should have earlier in the match. Ghana played (without the skill) throwing caution to the wind, running at full pace and came up with the goods as Australia in 2006 and South Korea earlier. Against Germany, Serbia too might go for broke and then we could see a different side. It will be difficult but not impossible.

People who think that sports & politics are mutually exclusive to the point that matches cant be rigged for political favors if there is enough riding on both live in fantasy land. The govt owns the national team. Ghana ('black stars') beating Serbia ('White Eagles') in Africa is BIG for Ghanaian African pride just as KiM is to Serbs. Expect to see more Euro teams playing 'badly' against Africans bc its un-PC to easily beat African teams (as in all past tournaments) in their 1st World Cup Ever.
(highduke, 14 June 2010 06:13)

Yes it was Tadic/Russians/Yanks/Tito/Lizzard people/David Icke's fault that Serbia lost yesterday.

They simply were not good enough. What part of that do you not understand?

Just wanted to add to prove the match was fixed 1. SRB Coach Antic did not even look remotely surprised 2. Lukovic ejection was totally unwarranted 3. Ghana's pro-KiM stance 4. superior Serbian team 5. amateurish handball by Kuzmanovic 7. ...in the penalty box 8. ...at the end of the match. Reminds me of SRB losing the gold to the inferior RUS team in 08 Euro Volleyball for its KiM stance.
(highduke, 13 June 2010 18:00)

For God's sake highduke, what kind of a wacky comment is that. Serbia has nobody to blame only themselves. They were inept and lacklustre. Ghana looked the more fluid and structured team and having a game plan helped them alot. The loss of Michael Essien did not matter a jot and in all honesty they should have won by more.

Trying to pin the blame of the defeat on Tadic & Jeremic is just off the wall. I'm sure they are as dissapointed as you and me but unlike yourself, I'm placing the blame squarely on Antic and the players. What's killing Serbia is lack of firepower up front. Leaving Suljemani at home was just plain madness. Anyway what the hell is Ante Rukavina doing on the bench?

To sum it up, Serbia were simply second best on the day, no complaints, Ghana deserved all 3 points. Lukovic deserved his marching orders and Kuzmanovic should count himself lucky he is not hanging by his underpants on the team hotel flagpole. The whole team need a collective kick up the backside. Sour grapes will not win games. Take it on the chin like a man and accept that you were beaten.

The pressure is on now. Next 2 games are a must win to ensure qualification from the group and judging from Germany's display tonight thats a mighty tall order.

It's game on.

Its ok to loose but do it in a normal way. Not by getting one idiot sent off and then another idot who thinks its handball.
I thought this serbian team was different then the previous self-confident Serbian divas. Great coach but shitty players. Comon Kuzmanovic! What the heck were your hands doing in the air? Were you doing the wave? ?&%#"!&! Very dissapointing but nothing I didn't expect. Its the same crap for a team only different package.

Well the golden rule of such long tournament is start it playing badly and finish it playing well.It si always better to lose in this phase than in knokc out period and you almost always have to have a bad game.On friday it may be just the opposit the germans have a bad day while serbs a good one.Anyway in the end it may turn out that this loss brings serbs luck and opens gates to big succes.First of all with Lukovic being redcarted Antic is forced to put Subotic in the team:I did not understand why he did not start him from the beginning.The age cannot be an excuse both Ghanes and german under 21s proved it today.And if Serbia manages to qulify the chances are better now that they qulify in the 2nd place instead of 1st which can be very adventogeus since this way they would avoid Argentina in the quterfinals and my gut feeling is that England is not gonna win goup C so they can also be avoided in 1/8 finals.This was the case wizh croats in 1998 who finished the group 2nd and faced Romania instead of England in the first knokc out round and than marched as far as semis.

kuzi burned out from desire ... can´t blame him for that. i´d rather see such a player wearing the jersey then a dull ballerina ...

lukovic shouldn´t have get 1 yellow card, not to mention 2, but he had to get out after the first one by the coach.

rajevac played it clever, stopped and took out the flanks and showed weaknes in creativity in central midfield. while tosic was sitting on the bench, but for this you can´t blame the coach, who was forced to change players by the yellow-red card and couldn´t change as he wished.

this group is to tough to write it off already, but serbia doesn´t have it in her own hands anymore, she needs results from the others, so basically it is over.

bganon,
i think Pantelic played well against Poljska.
Anyways, the look and feel of the game was like Serbia was asleep. Very bad game.

What is their problem. They've got a mental block or something. Pantelic was awful, and to see him smiling at the national anthems was pathetic. You can do that if you are good.

I'm from Bosnia, and my girlfriend is Serbian. (we live in Australia).
(Sandro, 14 June 2010 20:02)

Cool, which city-region if you don't mind me asking Sandro?

Do you have anything else better to do than talk about politics and other BS. This is the World Cup not BS from the political playground. Serbia got beat because if you get 1 yellow card you cannot get another one and you can play hand ball in the penalty area. Let me see did albania or the state of kosovo make it to the world cup???? Are any players of albanian decent playing on any team involved in the World Cup? Nope so please go find someone else to cry about. This is foot ball leave the political BS at the door or just stay outside.