Men's Under-21 Team
Stalemate as Belarus and Serbia draw
By James Masters - Friday, 19 June, 2009
Belarus and Serbia draw in Malmo to leave Group A wide open.
Belarus 0-0 Serbia
UEFA European Under-21 Championship
6.15pm, Friday 19 June 2009
Malmo, Sweden
There were precious few highlights as Serbia were held to a goalless draw by Belarus in a drab game in Malmo.
The result means that Group A is still finely poised, with Italy top ahead of Sweden, but both Serbia and Belarus are also able to squeeze through to the semi-finals if thinsg go their way.
The best attempt on goal was a powerful long range effort from out on the left wing by Belarus midfielder Sergei Krivets, who was unlucky to see his shot tipped over the bar by Serb keeper Zeljko Brkic in the 13th minute.
While that long-range effort was spectacular for the right reasons, Serbia’s best chance ended in a glaring miss by Nemanja Pejcinovic ten minutes from the end. A long free-kick was headed down towards goal, and the Serbian defender lashed his shot wildly over the bar from close range.
There were few clear chances in between those efforts. Manchester United’s Serbian winger Zoran Tosic made some good runs down the right flank and managed a few shots on goal, but nothing to really trouble keeper Pavel Chesnovski.
One run ended with the United man forcing a save at the near post, and another effort went tamely over the bar as both sides huffed and puffed without a cutting edge.
The result means that Belarus must beat Italy next Tuesday to have any chance of progressing, while Serbia can overtake Sweden if they beat the hosts.