Serbs can counter smothering Dutch, says Milosevic

LEIPZIG, June 10 (Reuters) Serbia&Montenegro are ready to combat the smothering strategy of Netherlands in tomorrow's World Cup game in Leipzig, said captain Savo Milosevic.

The striker, who will collect his 99th cap in Leipzig, said the Serbs were fully aware of the youthful Dutch team's tactics of pressuring their opponents everywhere on the pitch.

''We paid attention to it at the training sessions and will be ready for it,'' Milosevic told a news conference today.

The experienced Milosevic said he had always had a particularly soft spot for Dutch coach Marco van Basten.

''Van Basten was my idol,'' he said. ''As a player he always thought offensively and as a coach he does the same.'' Milosevic said he was surprised that Van Basten had left Roy Makaay, Edgar Davids and Clarence Seedorf out of his squad.

''For sure they miss good players with experience but we also have only two players with World Cup experience,'' he said.

The Serbs will also take on Ivory Coast and Argentina in Group C.

REUTERS PDS BD2024