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In the World Cup Group C matches, the national teams of Serbia and Montenegro, and the Netherlands meet. The favorites of these matches are undoubtedly the Dutch, while Serbia and Montenegro are generally considered the underdogs of this group, but they have one of the best defense lines. It is enough to mention the fact that during the qualifiers, this team conceded only one goal. So an intense and intriguing match awaits. Serbia and Montenegro - Netherlands Match start: 16:00 (Lithuanian time) Referee: Markus Merkas (Germany) Facts and statistics Head-to-head matches The two teams have met nine times. Serbia has won three times, the Dutch five times, and one match ended in a draw. However, all these matches were played by Serbia and Montenegro under the name Yugoslavia. One of those matches took place in the 1998 World Cup, in the second stage, where the Dutch celebrated a 2-1 victory. Serbia and Montenegro This World Cup is the 10th for Serbia and Montenegro, but in the previous nine editions, they played under the name of Yugoslavia. The best results of the national team are the fourth place in 1930 and 1962. The team has failed to advance beyond the group stage only twice (in 1950 and 1982). Serbia and Montenegro have not lost in 13 matches, conceding only one goal during the qualifiers, becoming the first European team to not concede a single goal in the World Cup qualifiers. Netherlands This is the eighth World Cup for the Netherlands. The team finished second in 1974 and 1978, and last participated in the tournament in 1998 in France, finishing in fourth place. The Netherlands has never been eliminated in the group stage of the World Cup. However, in 1934 and 1938 when there was no group stage, the team withdrew from the tournament after the first matches. The Netherlands has not lost in 12 consecutive matches, and in the last nine, they have not conceded a goal. The Dutch team has not lost in the first five matches of the World Cup, although three of them ended in draws. Injured players One of the biggest losses for the Serbian team is that the Italian club "Lecce" forward Mirko Vucinic will not be able to play at this championship. The player was replaced by the head coach's son, defender Dusan Petkovic, but due to dissatisfaction with the lack of transparency and favoritism in the country, he withdrew from the team. However, FIFA did not allow the team to call up a new player, so the Serbs have 22 players at the tournament - one less than all the other teams. On the bright side, offensive leader Mateja Kezman, who suffered a knee injury during training after colliding with N. Vidic, is now ready to play. Additionally, in the first match against the Netherlands, defender Nemanja Vidic from "Manchester United" will not be able to play. He was sent off the field in the qualifying matches against Bosnia and Herzegovina and will miss this match. The Netherlands also has losses. Before this championship, four key players experienced injuries: defenders Rafael van der Vaart, Phillip Cocu, Wesley Sneijder, and defender Giovanni van Bronckhorst. Wesley Sneijder suffered the most severe injury, not being able to leave the field on his own after a friendly match against Australia. However, all these players are now healthy and prepared for these matches. Van der Vaart may start the game on the bench. Opinions Serbia and Montenegro Serbia's head coach Ilja Petkovic places great importance on the first match, comparing it to a game of chess. "In chess, the first three moves often determine the course of the game. The first match at the World Cup often determines the team's ambitions. We will play defensive football, but as soon as we have the opportunity, we will counter-attack and try to score a goal." Netherlands Dutch national team coach Marco van Basten speaks cautiously about the upcoming matches and opponents. "I already know which players will play today. Only injuries and health issues can interfere with my plans." "It will be difficult to defeat Serbia and Montenegro, they are strong opponents and have already proven that they deserve to be at the World Cup." Friendly matches Serbia and Montenegro March 1, 2006 Tunisia 0 - 1 Serbia and Montenegro Rades, Tunisia Mateja Kezman scored the only goal of the match in the 18th minute. May 27, 2006 Serbia and Montenegro 1 - 1 Uruguay Belgrade, Serbia Dejan Stankovic's excellent shot put the hosts ahead, but Uruguayan defender Diego Godin equalized. Netherlands March 1, 2006 Netherlands 1 - 0 Ecuador Amsterdam, Netherlands Dirk Kuyt scored the only goal of the match after excellent performances from Arjen Robben and Martijn Meerdink. May 27, 2006 Netherlands 1 - 0 Cameroon Rotterdam, Netherlands The Dutch dominated the whole match, and the only goal was scored by Ruud van Nistelrooy, who moved to Manchester United next season. July 1, 2006 Netherlands 2 - 1 Mexico Eindhoven, Netherlands Playing with the second team, the Netherlands secured the victory after goals from John Heitinga and Ryan Babel, although the first goal was scored by the Mexicans, by Jared Borgetti. July 4, 2006 Netherlands 1 - 1 Australia Rotterdam, Netherlands Van Nistelrooy put the Dutch ahead early in the match, but Tim Cahill equalized. Match predictions Expect a truly exciting match. Despite the Dutch being considered the clear favorites, Serbia and Montenegro have practically the same team that played in the qualifiers, conceding only one goal there. They have not lost in their last 13 international matches. However, the Dutch have won 12 consecutive matches. In any case, neither team will have an easy walk. Especially since it is not clear how the recently recovered players will perform, and the Dutch did not shine in their friendly matches either. One thing is clear - these will be another interesting and intriguing match in the "Group of Death." Probable starting lineups Serbia and Montenegro: Jevric; Duljaj, Gavrancic, Krstajic, Dragutinovic; Nadj, Stankovic, Djordjevic, Koroman; Kezman, Milosevic. Netherlands: van der Sar; Heitinga, Ooijer, Mathijsen, van Bronckhorst; van Bommel, Sneijder, Cocu; van Persie, van Nistelrooy, Robben
