SAMARA: Aleksandar Kolarov's sensible second-half free-kick gave Serbia a 1-Zero victory over Costa Rica of their opening World Cup staff match in Samara on Sunday.
FIFA World Cup 2018 Schedule | Points Table
The Roma defender made the an important breakthrough early in the second one 1/2 with an impressive effort, and even if Serbia missed possibilities to further prolong their lead, they weren't overly troubled by way of the Costa Ricans.
The win places Serbia in a robust early position in Group E forward of games in opposition to Brazil and Switzerland as they give the impression of being to achieve the remaining 16 for the first time since becoming an impartial country, whilst Costa Rica have it all to do to repeat their wonder run to the quarter-finals 4 years in the past.
Serbia coach Mladen Krstajic passed Branislav Ivanovic his 104th global appearance, making the former Chelsea centre-back the most-capped participant in his nation's historical past, moving transparent of Dejan Stankovic within the all-time checklist.
Costa Rica started brightly, with Vladimir Stojkovic diving to save lots of on the toes of Marcos Urena, earlier than Giancarlo Gonzalez headed immediately on the Serbia goalkeeper.
The Central Americans must have taken the lead within the 12th minute, but Bologna defender Gonzalez inexplicably headed over when unmarked on the back publish with the function at his mercy.
Serbia grew into the sport and started to dominate possession, with Costa Rica enjoying in the similar taste which brought them so much success in 2014, sitting deep and taking a look to pounce at the counter-attack.
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, whose non-selection all the way through qualifying led to Slavo Muslin's sacking as Serbia coach, nearly broke the deadlock at the stroke of half-time, but his overhead kick was once neatly saved out by way of Real Madrid 'keeper Keylor Navas within the Costa Rica function.
Serbia did take the lead within the 56th minute, though, and in high-quality taste.
The 32-year-old Kolarov fired a sublime left-footed free-kick over the wall, dipping into the top corner previous a despairing dive from Navas.
Coach Oscar Ramirez threw on Arsenal forward Joel Campbell, Costa Rica's megastar participant in Brazil in 2014, searching for an equaliser.
Campbell's velocity nearly got him in at the back of the Serbia defence simply seconds after approaching, but it surely was once Serbia who blew a gilt-edged chance to attain a second.
Dusan Tadic's low cross picked out Filip Kostic, however the change miskicked in front of an open function, in all probability because of a slight contact at the ball by way of Navas.
There was once a overdue scuffle as Nemanja Matic tried to take the ball off a member of the Costa Rican personnel at the sidelines, earlier than a VAR red-card overview noticed Aleksandar Prijovic booked for a separate incident, but Serbia hung on with relative ease for a potentially worthwhile win.
FIFA World Cup 2018 Schedule | Points Table
The Roma defender made the an important breakthrough early in the second one 1/2 with an impressive effort, and even if Serbia missed possibilities to further prolong their lead, they weren't overly troubled by way of the Costa Ricans.
The win places Serbia in a robust early position in Group E forward of games in opposition to Brazil and Switzerland as they give the impression of being to achieve the remaining 16 for the first time since becoming an impartial country, whilst Costa Rica have it all to do to repeat their wonder run to the quarter-finals 4 years in the past.
Serbia coach Mladen Krstajic passed Branislav Ivanovic his 104th global appearance, making the former Chelsea centre-back the most-capped participant in his nation's historical past, moving transparent of Dejan Stankovic within the all-time checklist.
Costa Rica started brightly, with Vladimir Stojkovic diving to save lots of on the toes of Marcos Urena, earlier than Giancarlo Gonzalez headed immediately on the Serbia goalkeeper.
The Central Americans must have taken the lead within the 12th minute, but Bologna defender Gonzalez inexplicably headed over when unmarked on the back publish with the function at his mercy.
Serbia grew into the sport and started to dominate possession, with Costa Rica enjoying in the similar taste which brought them so much success in 2014, sitting deep and taking a look to pounce at the counter-attack.
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, whose non-selection all the way through qualifying led to Slavo Muslin's sacking as Serbia coach, nearly broke the deadlock at the stroke of half-time, but his overhead kick was once neatly saved out by way of Real Madrid 'keeper Keylor Navas within the Costa Rica function.
Serbia did take the lead within the 56th minute, though, and in high-quality taste.
The 32-year-old Kolarov fired a sublime left-footed free-kick over the wall, dipping into the top corner previous a despairing dive from Navas.
Coach Oscar Ramirez threw on Arsenal forward Joel Campbell, Costa Rica's megastar participant in Brazil in 2014, searching for an equaliser.
Campbell's velocity nearly got him in at the back of the Serbia defence simply seconds after approaching, but it surely was once Serbia who blew a gilt-edged chance to attain a second.
Dusan Tadic's low cross picked out Filip Kostic, however the change miskicked in front of an open function, in all probability because of a slight contact at the ball by way of Navas.
There was once a overdue scuffle as Nemanja Matic tried to take the ball off a member of the Costa Rican personnel at the sidelines, earlier than a VAR red-card overview noticed Aleksandar Prijovic booked for a separate incident, but Serbia hung on with relative ease for a potentially worthwhile win.
Kolarov stunner gives Serbia victory over Costa Rica
![Kolarov stunner gives Serbia victory over Costa Rica]()
Reviewed by Kailash
on
June 17, 2018
Rating:
