Three-nation Stankovic proud to be making history

Inter Milan midfielder Dejan Stankovic spoke of his pride at making history as the first man to play in three World Cups under three different flags on the eve of Serbia’s Group D opener against Ghana.

Stankovic has already represented Yugoslavia (1998) and Serbia and Montenegro (2006) at previous World Cups and will now captain the independent Serbia’s debut in the competition at the Loftus Versfeld stadium here on Sunday.

“I’m happy to be the first player to play in three World Cups for three different teams, this is a historic day for Serbian football,” he said on Saturday.

“It will give us extra motivation although we’ll definitely be a bit nervous tomorrow.”

Coach Radomir Antic also spoke about his pride and stressed that how the team plays is as important as the result they achieve.

“We’re here for the first time at the World Cup as an independent state and this makes us even more motivated and stronger,” he said.

“I feel very privileged, I’m a football man and this is a big opportunity to take part in something that we will share with all Serbians, who will get behind the team.

“We’re well aware that we have an extra motivation and we don’t feel inferior to anyone.

“We enjoy being together and we’re growing with each game. I’m not just talking about our progress in the FIFA rankings but we’re growing as a family. And it’s not just the results which are important but our fans must enjoy the way we play.”

Antic, a former coach at Real Madrid and Barcelona, believes Ghana should not be underestimated, particularly as his compatriot Milovan Rajevac is at the Africans’ helm.

“They’re a very good team who have been four time African Champions and won the FIFA under-20 World Cup,” he said.

“We know a lot about Ghana, and the fact that their coach is from Serbia and is a friend of mine is something we’ll talk about after the match.

“What’s sure is that we will all have some surprises ready. It’s the beginning of the World Cup and we have many things to think about.

“It’s not just a battle with Ghana but also ourselves. We’re very ambitious and there is always a huge psychological pressure surrounding the first game.”

Stankovic believes the match will be a tight one and he said the Serbs will try to play on the counter-attack.

“Ghana are very physical, very fast and have a lot of experience but we know what we have to offer,” he said.

“We’re very dangerous, our counter-attacks are very quick and we’re compact.

“Our first priority will be to close down spaces and then it will be about exploiting every opportunity they give us.”