Kolarov hits high note as Serbia grind out key win

SERBIA are reluctant favourites. It is not their default to attack gloriously, to dominate the ball.

Yesterday was a grind, Costa Rica’s lack of imagination providing a significant problem. Mladen Krstajic’s side, the tallest in the competition, would prefer a physical fight.

The result was important though and secured by Aleksandar Kolarov’s quite marvellous 56thminute free-kick.

Victory in Krstajic’s first competitive game in charge puts Serbia in a strong position as they look to reach the last 16 for the first time since playing as part of Yugoslavia in 1998.

Added to that, there was clear evidence why Europe’s elite are queuing up for Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. The Lazio midfielder’s ingenuity will be the key if they are to upset better opponents.

‘My players had the right attitude and approach — unity,’ said Krstajic, who replaced the previous manager Slavoljub Muslin last October.

‘We had to be a compact unit in both defence and attack and that’s most important.’

The problem for Costa Rica, after spending the last fortnight aimlessly chasing markers in friendlies against England and Belgium, is that they appeared to forget how to attack.

‘We had our tactical plan in place and we tried to attack them on the wings,’ said manager Oscar Ramirez. ‘We tried to execute our plan but they managed to score on a set-piece. What can you do?’