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Stanković confident of Serbia progress

Serbia captain Dejan Stanković insists his side still control their own destiny as they look to claw back five points on leaders Poland in a hotly contested Group A.

As Serbia prepare for their final push in qualifying for UEFA EURO 2008™ coach Javier Clemente has more than one reason to be thankful for having Dejan Stanković among his number. Not only is the FC Internazionale Milano midfielder one of the most gifted players of his generation, he is also something of a lucky charm for his country.

Lucky charm
Whether through injury or suspension Stankovic, who has scored 13 goals in 71 international appearances, has not been on the losing side in a qualifier since Russia beat Yugoslavia 1-0 in April 2001. The 29-year-old captain was suspended for both Serbia's defeats against Kazakhstan and Belgium this campaign, and Clemente will be confident that with his talisman back in the side they can go on and clinch a place at UEFA EURO 2008™ from a wide-open Group A.

'Optimistic'
"I always want to be in the team and continue that record," Stanković told uefa.com ahead of must-win qualifiers in Armenia and Azerbaijan. Serbia are fourth in the section, five points behind leaders Poland but with a game in hand and need to win both matches to keep their hopes alive. "We need six points from those two games and six from the last two against Kazakhstan and Poland at home in November," Stanković said. "It's a hard task, but at least we control our own destiny. I'm optimistic and I believe our mission will be successful. In the past a trip to Armenia and Azerbaijan would be considered easy, but everything has changed. These are good teams, with enough weapons to win or draw, especially at home."

Armenia threat
Serbia have lost to both Kazakhstan and Belgium in Group A, and Stanković is determined to ensure there are no more surprises, despite coming up against an Armenian team who have pulled off some upsets of their own. "Armenia drew 0-0 at home against Finland, 1-1 against Portugal and beat Poland 1-0. Was it an accident? No, I don't think so. They have a good team. But I think we're better and we must prove that over 90 minutes."

'No excuses'
After Armenia comes Azerbaijan and Stanković has an old score to settle. "Azerbaijan are really something special for us. In 2004 we drew 2-2 at home and they beat us 2-1 in Baku. We had our revenge in Belgrade [1-0 in September 2006], but we want to do the same thing in Baku. This is not a time for excuses, but a time for victories. Our final game in Belgrade against Poland on 21 November could be like a final and I can't wait for that. To be or not to be – I believe we will prevail, but that November night will be special. But it is too earlier to talk about it now. Group 1 was, and still is, full of surprises."