Not often would a team competing at their first World Cup as an independent nation be considered dark horses, but Serbia are worthy wearers of such a tag for South Africa 2010.
Serbia have made great strides over the past 21 months after failing to win a game in the first seven months of 2008.
That progress emanates from the appointment of Radomir Antic, who replaced Miroslav Djukic as head coach barely two weeks before Serbia's opening World Cup qualifier and immediately set about transforming his squad's image.
He has turned a team of talented individuals into international achievers - and they already have form for upsetting the odds, having topped Group Seven and condemned France to a qualification play-off in the process.
They collected 22 points in total and conceded just eight goals in 10 games along the way - only Spain, Holland, England, Germany and Italy amassed more points in the European zone.
Their reward for that achievement was a place in World Cup Group D, meaning they will face pool games against Ghana, Germany and Australia.
"The draw has given me a great sense of patriotism because we have a chance to show what we can do," said Antic.
"As for the rivals themselves, all four teams in Group D finished first in their respective qualifying groups so they are all deserving of absolute respect."
After being drawn in the 'Group of Death' in 2006 - when competing as Serbia and Montenegro - alongside Argentina, Holland and the Ivory Coast, they may fancy their chances slightly more this time around.
That campaign four years ago included a 6-0 pummelling at the hands of Argentina, with their only goals scored coming in their last pool game - a 3-2 defeat to the Ivory Coast - courtesy of Nikola Zigic and Sasa Ilic.
Serbia declared independence as the successor state to the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro four years ago, with their national football team officially renamed Serbia on June 28, 2006.
Their first mission was to attempt to qualify for Euro 2008, but they finished third in Group A behind Poland and Portugal to narrowly miss out on a place in Austria and Switzerland.
That was before Antic took up the post, however.
The tough-tackling former Luton defender was appointed in August 2008 and oversaw a 2-0 opening win over group minnows the Faroe Islands before a 2-1 loss to France the following month dented their hopes.
But they responded magnificently to that reverse at the Stade de France, picking up 19 of the next 21 points on offer.
They booked their place in the finals in style with a 5-0 thrashing of Romania last October and will surely head to South Africa quietly confident.
Preparations have been hit by a number of setbacks, however.
With Genoa attacking midfielder Bosko Jankovic already out of contention, Antic's plans were dealt a further blow last month when Sevilla defender Ivica Dragutinovic suffered a torn Achilles tendon in training.
The 34-year-old has been one of the star performers for the Primera Division club this season and had looked set to play a big role in the finals.
"I spoke with Ivica," said Antic. "It is difficult for him. It's hard for me. It's hard now for everyone in the team.
"I cannot even describe how sorry I am to lose a guy so valuable to the team, whose quality is inherent."
Antic is not short of strength at the back, however, with Manchester United's Nemanja Vidic and Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic - recently named in the Professional Footballers' Association team of the year and described by Antic as "more solid than Pepe" - among his group.
In midfield he can count on the the ever-reliable Dejan Stankovic to lead the side. The experienced Inter Milan man started in and captained all-but two of Serbia's qualifying matches.
Marko Pantelic has been in sparkling form up front for Ajax this season, which will no doubt be of great comfort to Antic with two of his other forwards struggling.
Zenit St Petersburg striker Danko Lazovic sustained a thigh injury late last month which will sideline him for four weeks, while giant frontman Zigic has been hindered by a left knee problem, although both made it into the provisional 30-man squad for the finals.
Serbia may not be at full strength physically, but Antic's newly resilient side will not lack mental toughness when they take to the field in South Africa - and they will fear no one.
Antic added: "One thing is certain - we will not lose a single match before it starts."
That progress emanates from the appointment of Radomir Antic, who replaced Miroslav Djukic as head coach barely two weeks before Serbia's opening World Cup qualifier and immediately set about transforming his squad's image.
He has turned a team of talented individuals into international achievers - and they already have form for upsetting the odds, having topped Group Seven and condemned France to a qualification play-off in the process.
They collected 22 points in total and conceded just eight goals in 10 games along the way - only Spain, Holland, England, Germany and Italy amassed more points in the European zone.
Their reward for that achievement was a place in World Cup Group D, meaning they will face pool games against Ghana, Germany and Australia.
"The draw has given me a great sense of patriotism because we have a chance to show what we can do," said Antic.
"As for the rivals themselves, all four teams in Group D finished first in their respective qualifying groups so they are all deserving of absolute respect."
After being drawn in the 'Group of Death' in 2006 - when competing as Serbia and Montenegro - alongside Argentina, Holland and the Ivory Coast, they may fancy their chances slightly more this time around.
That campaign four years ago included a 6-0 pummelling at the hands of Argentina, with their only goals scored coming in their last pool game - a 3-2 defeat to the Ivory Coast - courtesy of Nikola Zigic and Sasa Ilic.
Serbia declared independence as the successor state to the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro four years ago, with their national football team officially renamed Serbia on June 28, 2006.
Their first mission was to attempt to qualify for Euro 2008, but they finished third in Group A behind Poland and Portugal to narrowly miss out on a place in Austria and Switzerland.
That was before Antic took up the post, however.
The tough-tackling former Luton defender was appointed in August 2008 and oversaw a 2-0 opening win over group minnows the Faroe Islands before a 2-1 loss to France the following month dented their hopes.
But they responded magnificently to that reverse at the Stade de France, picking up 19 of the next 21 points on offer.
They booked their place in the finals in style with a 5-0 thrashing of Romania last October and will surely head to South Africa quietly confident.
Preparations have been hit by a number of setbacks, however.
With Genoa attacking midfielder Bosko Jankovic already out of contention, Antic's plans were dealt a further blow last month when Sevilla defender Ivica Dragutinovic suffered a torn Achilles tendon in training.
The 34-year-old has been one of the star performers for the Primera Division club this season and had looked set to play a big role in the finals.
"I spoke with Ivica," said Antic. "It is difficult for him. It's hard for me. It's hard now for everyone in the team.
"I cannot even describe how sorry I am to lose a guy so valuable to the team, whose quality is inherent."
Antic is not short of strength at the back, however, with Manchester United's Nemanja Vidic and Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic - recently named in the Professional Footballers' Association team of the year and described by Antic as "more solid than Pepe" - among his group.
In midfield he can count on the the ever-reliable Dejan Stankovic to lead the side. The experienced Inter Milan man started in and captained all-but two of Serbia's qualifying matches.
Marko Pantelic has been in sparkling form up front for Ajax this season, which will no doubt be of great comfort to Antic with two of his other forwards struggling.
Zenit St Petersburg striker Danko Lazovic sustained a thigh injury late last month which will sideline him for four weeks, while giant frontman Zigic has been hindered by a left knee problem, although both made it into the provisional 30-man squad for the finals.
Serbia may not be at full strength physically, but Antic's newly resilient side will not lack mental toughness when they take to the field in South Africa - and they will fear no one.
Antic added: "One thing is certain - we will not lose a single match before it starts."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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