Swiss Coach Vows To Keep It Physical In Serbia Showdown
Fakhir Rizvi Published June 22, 2018 | 01:21 AM
Kaliningrad, Russia, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd Jun, 2018 ) :Swiss coach Vladimir Petkovic vowed Thursday his side would maintain the robust approach that earned them a draw against Brazil when they take on Serbia in Group E's crunch encounter.
Switzerland fouled Neymar 10 times during Sunday's 1-1 stalemate -- the most inflicted on a single player in a World Cup game since 1998 -- and Petkovic said his side would not hold back against the Serbs.
"We can't just play physically," he told reporters in Kaliningrad ahead of Friday's match-up. "We also have to outrun our opponents and I believe also that we have to play our own football. We want to keep up the pace for 90 minutes." In Serbia, who top Group E after their 1-0 win over Costa Rica, the Swiss face a team full of powerful playmakers including Manchester United anchorman Nemanja Matic and Lazio's rising star Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.
"We have to be confident, full of respect facing a very good team with excellent individual players, but we've shown our mettle on the pitch," said Petkovic.
Friday's clash could decide the fate of Group E, with both sides vying for what will likely be a single last-16 spot alongside five-time winners Brazil.
Three of Switzerland's starting line-up against Brazil featured players born in Kosovo, a former province of Serbia that many in Belgrade still consider theirs.
Petkovic refused to broach the Kosovan question when asked on Thursday.
"I will speak with the players and tell them we've had a great match against Brazil but that's not enough. We have to give our best and we want to win the match," he said.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Robinson, bowlers help New Zealand go 2-1 up against Pakistan
Shahzeb Chachar to hold khuli kachehri on April 26
Heatwave amid Israel's aggression in Gaza brings new misery, disease risk
Tourism must change, mayor says as Venice launches entry fee
Court adjourns Judicial Complex attack case till May 17
Nasreen Noori’s book ‘Popatan Jahra Khwab’ launched
Wafaqi Mohtasib inspection team visits Excise and taxation office
AJLAC announces 5th Conference titled ‘People’s Mandate: Safeguarding Civil ..
Pak-US officials engage to enhance trade, investment ties
IBCC to promote educational excellence, expand regional presence
Pakistani 'Blue Helmets' serving UN Peacekeeping Mission in DR Congo set to leav ..
Putin says plans to visit China in May
More Stories From World
-
Slot 'confident' of Liverpool job as 'negotiations' take place
55 minutes ago -
Google parent Alphabet's Q1 profits beat estimates: company
1 hour ago -
WADA asks 'independent prosecutor' to examine Chinese swimmers case
1 hour ago -
New York court overturns Harvey Weinstein sex crime conviction
1 hour ago -
Bagnaia and Spanish rivals chase victory at Jerez
3 hours ago -
Russian, Ukrainian strikes kill at least 10 in frontline regions
3 hours ago
-
Heatwave amid Israel's aggression in Gaza brings new misery, disease risk
3 hours ago -
Tourism must change, mayor says as Venice launches entry fee
3 hours ago -
Pakistani 'Blue Helmets' serving UN Peacekeeping Mission in DR Congo set to leave after 20 years of ..
4 hours ago -
Putin says plans to visit China in May
4 hours ago -
US reinstates open internet rules rescinded under Trump
4 hours ago -
Honda announces US$11 bn EV battery and vehicle plant in Canada
4 hours ago