Under-fire Yugoslavs hit back at Norway

Milosevic has hit back at Norway's "sabotage" claims

Yugoslav coach Vujadin Boskov and his players have rubbished claims from their Norwegian counterparts that they "sabotaged" the Group C clash between the two sides in Liege.

Boskov's side won 1-0 with an early goal from Savo Milosevic in a game that saw six players get booked and Mateja Kezman dismissed just minutes after coming on as substitute.

After the bad-tempered battle, Norway coach Nils Johan Semb launched a bitter attack on the Yugoslavs.

But Milosevic was quick to hit back at Semb's claims.

He said: "If you asked an Italian or a Spanish fan whether they would rather watch Norway or Yugoslavia play, I am sure they would choose Yugoslavia.

We had six or seven great chances and about 20 shots on goal. If that is what the Norwegian coach thinks then I'm afraid he doesn't know much about football

Savo Milosevic

"We played football. All they did all the time was hit it long in the air from their goalkeeper or defenders - that's not football.

"Look at the facts. We had six or seven great chances and about 20 shots on goal. If that is what the Norwegian coach thinks then I'm afraid he doesn't know much about football."

Semb had claimed at the post-match press conference that the Yugoslavs had ruined the game with deliberate time-wasting and play-acting.

But Boskov, when asked what he thoughts of Semb's comments, replied: "The Norwegians should erect a statue to the referee.

"It was a little like the game in Zagreb (against Croatia). We showed great heart, we fought hard and showed character."

Technique

Of his side's final group game against Spain, Boskov added: "I think Spanish football, like much football in Europe, is improving physically but declining in terms of technique.

"Spain will not go into the game as favourites."

Although a draw would be enough to secure Yugoslavia's passage to the quarter-finals, Boskov insisted his side would be going out to win.

"If we don't want to win the match then it would be better for us to stay in the hotel," said Boskov.