Serbia fuming over penalty call
Serbs fuming over penalty call
Posted: 2010-06-24 11:21
Serbia coach Radomir Antic is fuming, claiming that his team was denied a penalty that could have sent them into the World Cup second round.
The Serbs crashed out of the tournament as they were beaten 2-1 by Australia in their final Group D game and Antic is disappointed that Tim Cahill was not penalised when the ball struck his arm in the area in the closing minutes.
Antic, not forgetting his team conceded a penalty against Ghana for handball, said: "The first time we handled the ball we were punished with a penalty. This time the referees, including the fourth official, did not want to see that there was a foul that was quite obvious."
Antic had no complaints about his players, who dominated the first half at the Mbombela Stadium but failed to take a number of opportunities.
They were punished after the break as Cahill and Brett Holman struck in the space of four minutes.
"We did our best," Antic said. "This was a game of good quality and I cannot reproach my players."
Australia's performance restored some pride after two disappointing results but was not sufficient to take them through as they finished behind Ghana on goal difference.
Coach Pim Verbeek, who is now stepping down, said: "It was a great result and a great performance but we are not in the final 16 and that is disappointing.
"We came to South Africa to get to the final 16 and it didn't work out that way. I don't think we can blame the players. They did a great job and have worked very hard."
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