Petković pays the price for defeat

Serbia and Montenegro coach Ilija Petković will step down after the FIFA World Cup. The Balkan nation cannot reach the knockout stages following Friday's 6-0 defeat by Argentina and the Netherlands' victory against Ivory Coast. "I will resign when we come home but I will not step down while the tournament is still in progress," he said. "We did well to qualify for the World Cup and I am not going to apologise to anyone for what happened against Argentina. Football is like that sometimes."

Also in the Serbia and Montenegro camp, injured or suspended players in the have been allowed to leave Germany ahead of the team's final Group C game against the Ivory Coast. Suspended duo Mateja Kežman and Ognjen Koroman will return home along with injured defender Nemanja Vidić, reducing the squad to just 19 from the original 23, with Dusan Petković already having left.

Germany defender Christoph Metzelder limped out of training on Saturday after suffering a twisted knee. The BV Borussia Dortmund centre-back has started both of the host nation's Group A matches to date, but is doubtful for the decider against Ecuador on Tuesday. Robert Huth and Jens Nowotny stand by.

Philip Cocu and John Heitinga are both doubtful for the game against Argentina on Wednesday after missing training with an ankle and hamstring injury respectively. With the Netherlands already safely through to the knockout stages, Marco van Basten may choose to rest the pair, meaning Cocu must wait slightly longer to win his 100th cap for his country.

Cyd Gray will miss Trinidad & Tobago's final Group B match against Paraguay on Tuesday with a partially torn ligament in his leg. The defender picked up the injury during Thursday's match against England but played until the end. The Caribbean nation can still reach the last 16, but must beat Paraguay and hope England defeat Sweden to have a chance of pipping the Swedes on goal difference.

Croatia captain Niko Kovač expects to play in his country's Group F match against Japan despite suffering the after-effects of a rib injury. The 34-year-old was taken off after 40 minutes of the opening fixture against Brazil, and admitted he had not recovered completely. "I am still in pain but I've played with bigger injuries before," said Kovač. There is still a doubt over striker Ivica Olić, who is battling a thigh strain.

Japan playmaker Shunsuke Nakamura and wing-back Akira Kaji are both expected to start that game after being passed fit following thigh and ankle injuries respectively. "Nakamura had some problems with his legs and yesterday he had a sudden fever but today his fever has gone down," said Japan coach Zico. "Everybody thought Kaji would not come back but he's fought with determination and that says something about his state of mind."