Who are the Serbians?

A GNA News Feature by Boakye-Dankwa Boadi

Accra, June 7, GNA - Our Elders say a child thinks his father is the greatest farmer until he or she visits the farm of another farmer. It is, therefore, important for Ghanaian soccer fans to put Serbia, Ghana's first opponents in the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, in the right perspective.

It must not be lost on Ghanaians that Serbia is a very strong soccer nation in Europe. They topped their group, which included France to secure a spot in South Africa, according to FIFA's official website.

Even though their preparation for the World Cup had not been impressive after 0-1 defeat by New Zealand and a goalless draw with Poland, over the weekend they came from behind twice to beat Cameroon 4-3 in an entertaining encounter at the Crvena Zvezda Stadium in Belgrade. Real Mallorca front man Pierre Webo twice put the Africans ahead in the first quarter, but first Milos Krasic and then Dejan Stankovic got Radomir Antic's side back on level terms.

Wolves midfielder Nenad Milijas gave the hosts the lead from the penalty spot a minute before the break and Ajax forward Marko Pantelic stretched that advantage on the stroke of half-time.

Hamburg striker Eric Choupo-Moting pulled a goal back for Cameroon midway through the second half but they could not force the equaliser. Radomir Antic, the Serbian Coach, is confident that his side would progress to next stage of the competition from the group comprising Ghana, Germany and Australia.

Defender Aleksandar Lukovic, 27, believes Serbia's qualifying record should give them plenty of confidence for the FIFA World Cup finals, saying: "The performances that we gave in qualifying gives us the right to think so. "We have individuals who play at big European clubs but the results in qualifying we achieved as a group, which is more important than any individual, and that is our strength."

Serbia's solid defence was a major feature of their qualifying campaign and Lukovic insists they were able to tighten up after a shaky start against Cameroon. 7 June 10