Serbia & Montenegro grind out 0-0 Spain draw
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-03-31 10:07

Serbia & Montenegro ground out a 0-0 draw with Spain in an evenly balanced World Cup Group Seven qualifier on Wednesday.

David Albelda of Spain smiles during their World Cup qualifying match against Serbia and Montenegro in Belgrade March 30, 2005. The game ended 0-0. [Reuters]

The result leaves Serbia top with 11 points from five games, two more than Spain who have drawn three of their five matches.

There were few chances but the visitors came close to breaking the deadlock in the 33rd minute when David Albelda's flying header forced a good save from Dragoslav Jevric.

The home side, cheered on by a raucous 50,000 home crowd, responded through left back Mladen Krstajic who headed just over the bar six minutes later.

Predrag Djordjevic also volleyed narrowly over in the 44th minute after a delightful through ball by Dejan Stankovic.

Serbia also missed the best chance in the 53rd minute when Mateja Kezman hit the post with only the keeper to beat after a defence-splitting pass from strike partner Savo Milosevic.

SITTER MISSED

Spain missed a sitter on the hour when second half substitute Juanito fired wildly over the bar from close range after a good low cross from Raul.

Fernando Torres had the goal at his mercy in the 70th minute but rifled way over after robbing the Serbian defence of the ball in the penalty box.

Spain manager Luis Aragones was pleased with how his team defended in the early stages of both halves.

"We came under intense pressure in the first 15 minutes of both periods but we were very well organised and managed to hold off a fierce onslaught by the hosts," he said.

"We had several good chances and it's a pity we didn't take them. They stifled us out up front for most of the match but we can't complain because it was a difficult match and a fair result all things considered," added Aragones.

Serbia & Montenegro manager Ilija Petkovic said: "We played a high-class team and we found it really difficult to cope with their all-round skill. I dare not be unhappy with the result because we stayed unbeaten against a very good team."

"The result keeps us on course to qualify for the World Cup finals and we're looking forward to the upcoming matches in our group," he added.

Serbia host Belgium in their next qualifier on June 4 followed by the visit of Lithuania on September 3.

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