Minister El-Khatib outlines Egypt's competitive edge for investors    BNY Mellon, HSBC express optimism for Egypt's economy at BEBA mission    Sustained economic reforms drive foreign investment in Egypt – FinMin    Somalia condemns unlawful arms shipment from Ethiopia to Puntland State    Egypt's PM assures no more power cuts, highlights investment growth plans    Egypt's Foreign Minister meets with US lawmakers in Washington    Egypt chairs Khartoum Process meeting on migration, development    Egypt's El-Khatib seeks to boost renewable energy investment with UK companies    Al-Mashat, AfDB Special Envoy discuss development cooperation for Egypt    China imposes sanctions on US arms suppliers to Taiwan    Basketball Africa League Future Pros returns for 2nd season    Google wins EU legal battle over €1.5b fine    Egypt's Environment Minister outlines progress on sustainability initiatives    US examines increased Chinese uranium imports    L'Oréal Egypt Hosts 9th Annual Skin and Hair Summit, Unveils New La Roche-Posay Anti-Pigmentation Serum    Al-Sisi calls for emulating Prophet Muhammad's manners at birth anniversary celebration    Culture Minister directs opening of "Islamic Pottery Museum" to the public on 15 October    Restoration project at Edfu Temple reveals original coloured inscriptions for first time    Egypt joins Africa's FEDA    Egypt's Culture Minister seeks input from Writers Union on national strategy    Egypt awards ZeroCarbon solid waste management contract in Gharbia    Egypt, UN partner on $14-m coral reef protection project    ADB approves $93.6m for Cambodia's rural utilities    Egypt condemns Ethiopia's unilateral approach to GERD filling in letter to UNSC    Egyptian pentathletes dominate world championships in Lithuania    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Egyptian Olympic athletes champion local sportswear    Egypt's FM, Kenya's PM discuss strengthening bilateral ties, shared interests    Paris Olympics opening draws record viewers    Former Egyptian Intelligence Chief El-Tohamy Dies at 77    Who leads the economic portfolios in Egypt's new Cabinet?    Egypt's President assigns Madbouly to form new government    Financial literacy becomes extremely important – EGX official    UNESCO celebrates World Arabic Language Day    Motaz Azaiza mural in Manchester tribute to Palestinian journalists    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Stankovic makes retirement plans after Serbia flop
Published in Ahram Online on 12 - 10 - 2011

Dejan Stankovic will play one more match for Serbia and then retire from internationals after Tuesday's 1-0 defeat to Slovenia eliminated the side from Euro 2012 qualification, the Inter Milan midfielder has said
Serbia captain Stankovic, who equalled Savo Milosevic's record of 102 international appearances on Tuesday, confirmed he would hang up his boots after a the next friendly international that would make him Serbia's most-capped player.
“This was my last competitive match for my country, I will play one more game and that will be my farewell to the national team,” Stankovic told Belgrade media after Serbia ended their qualifying campaign on a sour note.
The Serbian's needed a win to leapfrog Estonia into the runners-up spot in Group C, behind winners Italy, and clinch a playoff berth, but fell to an audacious 40 metre goal while centre back Nemanja Vidic also missed a penalty.
“Slovenia, who had only pride to play for, produced an outstanding performance while we had dropped points in places we shouldn't have before we came to what was always going to be a difficult away match in Maribor,” Stankovic added.
“It is a painful end because we had the quality to reach next year's finals in Poland and Ukraine and we really should have done better.”
Coach Vladimir Petrovic, who took over from Radomir Antic after a 1-1 home draw with Slovenia early in the campaign, is likely to follow Stankovic through the exit door after failing with a cagey and ineffective 4-5-1 formation.
“They don't need to sack me because my contract expires in two months' time and it's up to the FA whether they want to extend it,” Petrovic said when asked if he would step down.
“I would field the same team again because several players looked very flat after Friday's strength-sapping 1-1 draw with Italy, we were below par because Slovenia played well.
“We took risks in the closing stages when we threw on more forwards because we had to, but we had ran out of steam.
“I can only salute my team's commitment because they gave everything they had but it just wasn't meant to be,” he said.
The Serbian press, however, had little sympathy for either Petrovic or the players.
“Apocalypse”, screamed daily Sportski Zurnal across the front page, while The Press said the Serbian team had “lost their dignity with an unacceptable performance which warrants resignations among the staff”.


Clic here to read the story from its source.