Misha Radovic, a UEFA A licenced coach currently coaching at the AC Milan Academy in Sydney, has followed his homeland's national team since emigrating to Australia in the 1990s.

The defender also played for the famed Red Star in the club's golden era the late 1970s and 80s before the break-up of the old Yugoslavia.

He believes the Serbian squad experienced coach Raddy Antic has assembled is more than capable of going through as one of the top two in Group D.

The White Eagles finished top of their group in qualification ahead of France and meet the Socceroos in their final group game in South Africa.

"I wouldn't single out any one player but this is a very dangerous side," he tells au.fourfourtwo.com.

"Particularly how Antic prepares this team and his tactics, I respect him so much as a coach in Spain with Real Madrid and Barcelona. And with this squad, he's achieved a real family atmosphere and with a winning mentality."

Antic included six England-based players in his provisional 30-man World Cup squad. Star names Nemanja Vidic of Manchester United and Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic were selected, along with Wigan goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic and Wolves' Nenad Milijas.

Chelsea's Nemanja Matic and Manchester United's Zoran Tosic - currently on loan at Cologne - have also earnt a place in the squad.

He added: "How he's set up the team is really offensive and attacking. He's insisted that there is no match they play where they don't feel inferior"

Serbia - appearing at the World Cup independently for the first time in South Africa - take on Ghana, Germany and Australia in Group D with their first match on June 13 against Ghana in Pretoria.

The Black Stars, ironically, are also coached by a Serbian in Miki Rajevac.

"This team is also a big danger at set-pieces," adds Radovic of Serbia. "Of course Nikola Zigic from Valencia is the tallest player, and there's Ivanovic and Vidic.

"And Milos Krasic from CSKA Moscow is very dangerous on the right side and Dejan Stankovic from Inter Milan behind them who has a great shot."

When quizzed on group favourites this week, Socceroo coach Pim Verbeek stated at his squad launch that while Germany was group favourite, Australia deserved to be second favourite behind Joachim Low's side. Radovic disagrees.

"I couldn't say that Germany is really favourite, it's an open group. To make a statement that Australia is second favourite in the group I really don't think that way."

However, if there is a weakness in the Serbian set-up, it could be in goal. Like Verbeek, Antic has also opted for a fourth keeper in his preliminary squad and Radovic flagged the position between the posts as a possible weak link.

He added: "I've got so much confidence in Antic. If Serbia doesn't make the quarter finals, then I think this will be an unsuccessful campaign."