Mirkovic out of Swiss Match

[Petko]

BELGRADE, March 22 (Reuters) - Yugoslavia will be without injured defender Zoran Mirkovic for Saturday's World Cup qualifier against Switzerland, according to team doctor Bratislav Stojkovic.

The right-back could also miss next Wednesday's group one qualifier against Slovenia, when Yugoslavia face a re-run of their 3-3 thriller at Euro 2000.

"He is in some pain and is almost certainly out of Saturday's match. There is some hope that he might be ready for Slovenia," said Stojkovic of Mirkovic's thigh injury. His place in the starting line-up would go to Dejan Stefanovic.

Yugoslavia have won their only qualifier so far, in Luxembourg, before political tension forced the postponement of two games last October.

The daily Sportski Zurnal said on Thursday that team coach Milovan Djoric could field an unfamiliar 3-4-3 formation against the Swiss.

"All-out attack," said the paper's front page headline above a starting line-up including Goran Drulic as the third forward alongside Mateja Kezman and Savo Milosevic. Probable Yugoslav team to face Switzerland

Aleksandar Kocic; Dejan Stefanovic, Sinisa Mihajlovic, Miroslav Djukic; Predrag Djordjevic, Slavisa Jokanovic, Nikola Lazetic, Vladimir Jugovic; Mateja Kezman, Goran Drulic, Savo Milosevic.

Who is Dejan Stefanovic, I don't really know who that guy is?

What team does he play for?

What do you guys think about the probable starting line-up and formation?

[Nemanja]

Well, I am for the 3 forwards (mil-kez-dru) but then the idea of 3 defenders (one of them Miha) scares me. I don't know what will happen but I guess we should try it and see what happens. Mirkovic is good, and its too bad that he can't play, as for Stefanovic(I don't know much about him).

[PFC]

Jak je tim. We will allow many goals but will also score a tone ! Can't wait till the match against the Swiss ! Bravo Djoric imas muda ! (although naming Miha the captain is not so smart)

[Nemanja]

Ima muda od labuda. Ali nije 100% sigurno da ce igrati 3-4-3!!

[red star forever]

Stefanovic played in Zvezda's team that won the double in '95, he then went to Sheffield Wednesday where he wasn't very successful and it looked as if his career in the NT had come to an end, however, he went to Holland where he now plays for Vitesse very well...
Still not sure whether I would put him in the starting line up though..

And about Djoric naming Miha as the captain, that move is plain stupid, I thought captains were supposed to be mentally stable, and this guy is even knocking out his teammates in Lazio...
It simply doesn't make sense..:(

[kezmania2001]

Too bad for Bate but Yugo can still do it!!!

[Mihajloviç]

red star forever, I'm sure Mihajlovic had his reasons. Who should he have picked as captain ? Kezman ? Drulic ? If you look at it, there were only 4 real candidates for the armband. Djukic, Mihajlovic, Jugovic and Milosevic. Jokanovic was never really a candidate in my opinion.

As far as Mirkovic goes , too bad, but we can do without him.

[PFC]

Scrath out Stefanovic it seems now that Krstajic will be replacing Mirkovic most likely. :)

[Mihajloviç]

That's a much better idea, although I do not know Stefanovic much, but I can only say positive things about Mladen Krstajic. He has been playing terrific in the Bundesliga !

[red star forever]

Jugovic would have been my candidate, he tries hard, always gives his best, and is calm and cool on the field..

But Djoric obviously doesn't think so...

[Mihajloviç]

I can't imagine Jugovic as a guy who commands his team. I would have chosen between Djukic and Mihajlovic.

[red star forever]

Honestly, my first choice would have been Djukic but I ruled him out since I think he will retire before the WC and we need a captain for at least the next two years, which I think Jugovic should be able to pull off..:D

[PFC]

I think Kralj deserved it the most..:D

[Mihajloviç]

He He , we should call Govedarica out of retirement :D

[PFC]

Originally posted by Mihajlovic
He He , we should call Govedarica out of retirement :D

Or how about Brnovic ? Great player he is..:D

[Mihajloviç]

Oh ... Brnovic was fantastic, how are we going to replace this man ? :D

But at least he scored against Hungary in 98 ! :D

[PFC]

Originally posted by Mihajlovic

But at least he scored against Hungary in 98 ! :D

Who didn't ? :D