MUNICH, June 20: Serbia & Montenegro will bid farewell to the World Cup and each other on Wednesday when they face what is likely to be Ivory Coast's B team. The Group C basement battle in Munich will be the last at these finals for two teams already eliminated by Netherlands and Argentina.

For the eastern Europeans, Montenegro's vote for independence in May means the soccer remains of Yugoslavia will be reduced to Serbia alone for their next game in August.

Serbia & Montenegro, who conceded only one goal in qualifying, are seeking to restore their pride after a 6-0 drubbing by Argentina.

“It is very difficult to find a motive for this match. We have tried to focus on it but our morale has been killed off,” said captain Savo Milosevic, who may announce his retirement from internationals after the game.

Coach Ilija Petkovic is keen to give the fans something to cheer in his last match in charge but has a string of injuries and suspensions.

Full backs Ivica Dragutinovic and Dusan Basta, midfielder Albert Nadj and forward Danijel Ljuboja are nursing knocks and bruises. Striker Mateja Kezman and winger Ognjen Koroman are suspended.

Ivory Coast appear keen to bow out with a victory.

“We will do everything to end this tournament with a win,” said Henri Michel ahead of his final game as coach.

“But I will give a chance to players who haven't featured yet. That way they can all say they went to the World Cup and played.”

The Ivorians have no injury worries although captain Didier Drogba is suspended.

Probable teams:

IVORY COAST (4-4-2): 1-Jean-Jacques Tizie; 21-Emmanuel Eboue, 4-Kolo Toure, 3-Arthur Boka, 12-Abdoulaye Meite; 5-Didier Zokora, 19-Gneri Yaya Toure, 2-Kanga Akale, 22-Romaric; 9-Arouna Kone, 14-Bakary Kone.

Coach: Henri Michel.

SERBIA & MONTENEGRO (4-4-2): 1-Dragoslav Jevric; 13-Dusan Basta, 6-Goran Gavrancic, 20-Mladen Krstajic, 3-Ivica Dragutinovic; 2-Ivan Ergic, 4-Igor Duljaj, 10-Dejan Stankovic, 18-Zvonimir Vukic; 19-Nikola Zigic, 21-Danijel Ljuboja.

Coach: Ilija Petkovic.

Referee: Marco Rodriguez (Mexico).—Reuters

Opinion

Editorial

Doctor attacked
09 Jun, 2026

Doctor attacked

AN act of reprehensible violence has shaken the medical community. On Saturday, an employee of the Provincial Civil...
AJK flare-up
Updated 09 Jun, 2026

AJK flare-up

The situation started deteriorating after a trader affiliated with the JAAC was reportedly shot in an altercation with law-enforcers.
Fault lines
09 Jun, 2026

Fault lines

THE April 8 ceasefire that halted hostilities between Israel and Iran has encountered its most serious test yet....
Soft on traders
08 Jun, 2026

Soft on traders

THE Fixed Tax Asaan Scheme for traders with an annual turnover of up to Rs200m has been designed as a ‘pragmatic...
Ceasefire in name
Updated 08 Jun, 2026

Ceasefire in name

Both sides accuse the other of violating the truce that was supposed to halt the conflict in April, yet neither appears willing to abandon negotiations altogether.
Damaged childhoods
08 Jun, 2026

Damaged childhoods

CHILD abuse is so prevalent that the UN ranked Pakistan as the least safe country for children. Even so, more than...