Disrupted defence cost Serbia dear against Dutch

LEIPIZG, June 12 (Reuters) A makeshift defence missing suspended powerhouse Nemanja Vidic proved costly for Serbia&Montenegro as they lost their opener against Netherlands.

Several players who started out of position in yesterday's 1-0 Group C defeat looked all at sea against a youthful Dutch side, particularly surprise inclusion Nenad Djordjevic.

He started ahead of winger Ognjen Koroman but the defensive approach backfired and Djordjevic was left flat-footed time and again by Man of the Match Arjen Robben, who sprung the offside trap and race clear to score the 18th minute winner.

The Serbs looked more solid after Koroman came in for Djordjevic and midfielder Igor Duljaj moved into the right back slot but they failed to carve out a clear chance.

Defiant coach Ilija Petkovic refused to discuss his tactics and blamed an ''undeserved defeat'' on a momentary lapse of concentration although the halftime score flattered his team.

''It's sad to lose this way as we weren't outplayed. They scored from the only clear cut chance they created,'' he said.

''We will try to strengthen our defence with Vidic back in the team. Reaching the second round will now be an uphill task, although not entirely impossible.'' NO FIREPOWER The Serbs next play Argentina, who lead the group with the Netherlands on three points after beating Ivory Coast 2-1, before facing the African Nations Cup finalists.

A chink in the armour of a defence that let in only one goal in 10 unbeaten qualifying matches was compounded by a lack of firepower as the Serbs failed to test Dutch keeper Edwin van der Sar after using up all four strikers.

Savo Milosevic saw two weak shots easily saved in the first half, Mateja Kezman was stifled by his markers while substitutes Nikola Zigic and Danijel Ljubija ran a lot but to little effect.

''We did not attack well, it was difficult in the scorching heat but we have no excuse because they too suffered from the weather,'' Petkovic said.

''We will not tear the house down after this, what we need to do is sleep on it and recuperate. It's not over yet.'' Reuters PDS GC1912