Lukewarm Serbia stumble at home, Morocco impress

Lukewarm Serbia stumble at home, Morocco impress Serbia’s Nemanja Matic in action with Chile’s Diego Valdes in Merkur-Arena, Graz, Austria on June 4, 2018 – PHOTO: REUTERS ZURICH (REUTERS) – Lukewarm Serbia stumbled to a 1-0 home defeat by Chile in a World Cup warm-up on Monday while Morocco were far more impressive in a 2-1 win over Slovakia in the other match involving a finalist. Meanwhile, Italy and the Netherlands, two of the biggest names to miss out on Russia, continued their rebuilding work with a 1-1 draw in Turin. Serbia, who face Brazil, Costa Rica and Switzerland in their group, looked vulnerable every time the South American champions — who surprisingly failed to qualify for the World Cup — came forward. Guillermo Maripan headed in an 89th-winner for Chile, a fair reward for their more adventurous display. Morocco, who face Iran, Portugal and Spain in World Cup Group B, produced plenty of slick passing against Slovakia as they extended their unbeaten run to 11 matches. Although they fell behind to a long-range Jans Gregus effort in the 59th minute, Morocco replied with goals from Ayoub Kaabi and Younes Belhanda in a 10-minute spell. Poland’s preparations suffered a blow when defender Kamil Glik seriously injured his shoulder in training on the same day as being named in their 23-man squad. Coach Adam Nawalka said the 30-year-old, who fell awkwardly after attempting an overhead kick, would be replaced by VfB Stuttgart’s Marcin Kaminski if he did not recover in time… [Read full story]