Serbia & Montenegro vs. Belgium: 0-0

In front of almost 30,000 supporters Serbia & Montenegro preformed a great football match against Belgium who more or less played like if they came to Belgrade for a point.

A chance after a chance gone by and Silvio Proto was under a spell of fortune that charmed his goal to be unbreakable during the 93 minutes of the game.

In fourth minute Serbia already had a magnificent chance Zvonimir Vukic (Zvonimir Vukić) who didn’t play at his level tonight passed the ball to Danijel Ljuboja who forwarded it for Nenad Jestrovic (Nenad Jestrović) to pick it up at the edge of Belgium’s box and get to be alone in front of Silvio Proto but the young goalkeeper closed his legs just enough to not let the shoot go through and save his net.

Two minutes later Ivica Dragutinovic (Ivica Dragutinović) was free to cross the ball from the left flank which he did letting it sail through the area, with Jestrovic missing it with a volley shot, but Anderlecht striker and golden boot of Belgium Jupiler league got another chance in the same moment as Ognjen Koroman returned a pass to him but the 29 year old again placed a shoot directly in Proto.

Not long after, Ljuboja tempted Proto from a free kick just a bit outside the area on the right side, but PSG striker’s shot sailed over the crossbar.

Belgium had their first chance if it can be called a chance in 11th minute when Daniel Van Buyten fired the ball from the right side slightly over the goal with no success.

Twenty-six year old Ljuboja who scored just two goals in French Ligue 1 this season passed by two Belgium defenders in 14th minute but right when he was about to place a shot for an opener he was blocked.

Until the end of the first half Serbia had one more serious chance when Ognjen Koroman passed by one Red Devil’s defenders and employed Ljuboja inside the area who was just five minutes from the goal line but his right foot shoot went straight past the left post, leaving Belgium’s net untouched.

The atmosphere on the stadium was great, all fans were chanting Serbia, Serbia, and every good move by one of the home side player was gifted with a loud applause.

The first real chance for the Blues in the second half came in 56th minute when Goran Gavrancic (Goran Gavrančić) crossed the ball from the right inside the area where Vukic headed it nicely towards the top right corner but Proto managed to tipp it off to safety.

Four minutes later Koen Daerden succeeded to pass by two Serbian players Igor Duljaj and Gavrancic on the left side of the home team’s area and pass the ball to Mbo Mpenza in the center of the box, but Anderlecht’s striker failed to score and his shot went over the crossbar.

In 64th minute the referee didn’t award Serbia a clear penalty when Vukic was brought down in Belgium’s box after he received a pass by Koroman. Anyhow the loose ball from Vukic finished at Mirko Vucinic’s (Mirko Vučinić) legs but the young Lecce striker was blocked by Silvio Proto.

The 21 year old striker had another great chance two minutes later from a 25 meter free kick but Belgium’s goalkeeper was equal to the challenge.

Before the finish young Serbian midfielder Simon Vukcevic (Simon Vukčević) fired a good surprise from a 30 meter free kick which could have damaged Belgium a lot considering their keeper fisted the ball out “to the back” and the ball deflected of his crossbar.

Overall Serbia presented us with a great football on Marakana stadium in Belgrade today. Shakhtar Donetsk defensive midfielder Igor Duljaj deserved to carry the title Man of the match and was followed by Dejan Stankovic, Danijel Ljuboja, Nenad Jestrovic… well all of the players that preformed for the Blues.

With this goalless draw Serbia remains the only team in the World Cup 2006 Qualifiers which haven’t conceded a goal and is first in Group 7 with 12 points same as Spain who defeated Lithuania 1-0 today.

Result: 0-0

Serbia & Montenegro: Jevric, Dragutinovic, Vidic, Krstajic Gavrancic, Duljaj, Koroman (from 80’ Vukcevic), Vukic, Stankovic (from 81’ Mladenovic), Jestrovic (from 47’ Vucinic), Ljuboja.

Belgium: Proto, Van Buyten, De Schacht , Clement , Daerden (from 76 Leonard), Vanderhaeghe, Mbo Mpenza (from 81’ Vandenbergh), Buffel, Emile Mpenza, Bisconti, Vanden Borre.

Referee: Valentin Ivanov from Russia
Attendance: 30,000