New boys to face Ecuador

Yugoslavia coach Dejan Savicevic has named two new players in his squad for the 8 May friendly against Ecuador.

New additions
FK Sutjeska goalkeeper Vukasin Poleksic and FK Mladost Lucani forward Zoran Djuraskovic have both received their first international call-up for the game which will be played in New Jersey in the United States. Poleksic has had an excellent season for Sutjeska while Djuraskovic is the top scorer in the Prva Savezna Liga with 19 goals. "This is the last time I am checking out newcomers, from now on I am cutting the list," said Savicevic.

Limited options
However, Savicevic admitted that he had not been given an entirely free choice of players for the game and said that certain players had been left out of the squad because of club duties. "I could not count on the players playing Yugoslavia Cup semi-finals," he admitted. "I released (Mateja) Kezman, who is in club negotiations and I did not call up players from the countries where the leagues have not finished - Spain, Austria, Greece, Russia, Ukraine."

Serious challenge
The coach was hoping for another tough match against Ecuador after a series of testing friendly games ahead of their EURO 2004™ campaign. "I am expecting a match similar to the one against Mexico," he said. "Both teams have a similar style. Ecuador are a high-quality team and we will not have an easy time. They play 4-4-2, they are very fast and offensive."

Games rearranged
Meanwhile, Yugoslavia have changed the dates of the two EURO 2004™ qualifying matches against Azerbaijan in order to set a date for a game against Germany.  The qualifying matches have been moved to 12 February for the first leg and 11 June for the second. The friendly against Germany away will be played on 30 April, the date when the second qualifying game against Azerbaijan was initially scheduled.

Thank you, Azerbaijan
"Germany are too important an opponent to lose a chance to play against them," explained Savicevic. "Germany said we could play on 30 April this year or in 2005 at the earliest. The match against them will be a very important test for us and this is why we have made so many changes in the qualifying group. I thank Azerbaijan for their understanding and co-operation."

Yugoslavia squad
Poleksic, Jevric, Mirkovic, Lazetic, Krstajic, Dzodic, Djordjevic, Mihajlovic, Stefanovic, Dragutinovic, Jokanovic, Stankovic, N. Branovic, Ilic, Duljaj, Ivic, Mijatovic, B. Brnovic, Djuraskovic