Belgrade, February 8 (Reuters) - Yugoslav national team travels to the US on Monday where they will meet Mexico in a friendly on Wednesday at 19:00.
The national team manager Dejan Savicevic announced a 20-man squad to travel to the US. The manager included 8 newcomers and 6 local-club players.
The Yugoslav national team squad:
Goalkeepers: Jevric Dragoslav (SBV Vitesse), Zilic Dragan (Sartid), Poleksic Vukasin (Sutjeska)
Defenders: Dzodic Nenad (Monpellier), Gavrancic Goran (Dinamo Kyiv), Mihajlovic Sinisa (SS Lazio), Krstajic Mladen (SV Werder Bremen), Stefanovic Dejan (SBV Vitesse), Dmitrovic Boban (GAK)
Midfielders: Jokanovic Slavisa (Chelsea FC), Jugovic Vladimir (AS Monaco), Stankovic Dejan (SS Lazio), Koroman Ognjen (OFK Beograd), Krivokapic Radovan (Vojvodina), Brnovic Nenad (Zeta), Paunovic Veljko (RCD Mallorca)
Attackers: Mijatovic Predrag (AC Fiorentina), Milosevic Savo (Real Zaragosa), Kezman Mateja (PSV Eindhoven), Mladenovic Nenad (Obilic)
Twelve out of 20 players play matches this weekend, so Mirko Poledica (Vojvodina Novi Sad) and Boris Vaskovic (Sartid Smederevo) are recalled as substitutes to go to the US in case one of the players sustains an injury.
Zoran Mirkovic, Nikola Lazetic (both from Fenerbahche) and Predrag Djordjevic (Olympiakos) were to join the Yugoslav team, but were spared because of their club obligations. Fenerbahche will meet Galatasaray in a crucial tie on Saturday. The same is true for Olympiakos.
Miroslav Djukic and Ljubinko Drulovic weren't on the list, as: "I can say nothing of their form," claimed Savicevic. Ivica Kralj failed to secure a first team place, reportedly justifying his absence.
None of Red Star's or Partizan's players were recalled for the forthcoming friendly, though the two sides' managements had not prevented the release of their players for the international duty, meanwhile few were enthusiastic about the prospect of losing their key-players at this stage of the championship.
"I am sorry that there are no players from our two biggest clubs. If I had called them, I would call the same number from both sides because they are very sensitive about that," said Savicevic.
"The match will be of great use to us. It is going to be a real competitive one. I will ask the players to consider this match as a very serious one and to play for the result."
Savicevic doesn't know too much about Mexico: "We have watched two of their ties but we failed to see their optimal team."
Savicevic keeps a watchful eye on many Yugoslav players:
"I am glad that some of our players have resumed playing. I will give all deserving players the chance to perform for the national team. I hope that players will regain their form, as Perica Ognjenovic has done."
