Belgrade, March 15 (Sportski Zurnal/Reuters) - Experienced duo Predrag Mijatovic and Dragan Stojkovic will be missing from Yugoslavia's squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Switzerland and Slovenia
Fiorentina forward Mijatovic was quoted as saying he wanted
to be left out of the squad for the Group One matches because he
felt Yugoslavia's new coach Milovan Djoric had been put under
pressure to include him.
"During my conversation with him, it was very clear that he
was under pressure either by those who appointed him or the
fans. He just couldn't say directly that he planned to bring in
youngsters," Mijatovic was quoted as saying in the daily Glas
Javnosti.
"I made an instant decision to resolve the problem by
telling him to count me out for the upcoming matches against
Switzerland and Slovenia," he added.
Dragan Piksi-Stojkovic
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Stojkovic, who led Yugoslavia in the 1990 World Cup and last
year's Euro 2000 campaign, was reported to be out of the squad
after Djoric told him it was time for younger players to be
given a chance.
According to the daily Sportski Zurnal, the manager has
doubts over the 36-year-old's stamina and pace.
Stojkovic, who plays for Nagoya Grampus Eight in Japan's
J-league, said he would retire at the end of the season but
wanted to carry on playing international football until then.
"I've never felt better physically or mentally. I can keep
playing for the national team as long as and if my presence is
required," he said.
Yugoslavia beat Luxembourg 2-0 last September in their only
qualifying group match so far. They meet Switzerland in Belgrade
on March 24 and are away to Slovenia three days later. The group
also includes Russia and the Faroe Islands.
