Bosnia holds rival Serbia to 0-0 draw

SARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina (AP) -- Bosnia held Balkan rival Serbia-Montenegro to a 0-0 draw Saturday in a World Cup qualifier, the first competitive match between the neighboring countries that fought a civil war from 1992-95.

The Bosnians came out strong in the opening minutes, hoping to surprise their former countrymen before more than 30,000 cheering fans at the Kosevo Olympic stadium. The match, labeled a high risk event, was guarded by 1,300 officers to keep fans separated.

It was only the fourth time the two teams have faced each other since Bosnia gained independence from Serb-dominated Yugoslavia, and only the second in the Balkans. The first two times the countries met was in India at the Millennium Cup in 2001.

On Saturday, Bosnia forward Elvir Bolic could have opened the scoring in the 16th minute but his powerful volley from 17 meters (yards) was denied by Serbia-Montenegro goalkeeper Dragoslav Jevric.

Bosnia had another chance to take the lead in the 27th minute but Ivica Grlic's fierce shot was saved by Jevric.

Serbia-Montenegro failed to create a single scoring opportunity in the Bosnia dominated first half.

The Bosnians continued to attack in the second half. Elvir Baljic could have given Bosnia three points when his shot from mid-range was saved by Jevric.

"It was a difficult game," Baljic said. "We had more chances and we should have scored. Well, it's important not to loose."

Serbia-Montenegro had its best chance in the 85th minute when Ognjen Koroman's shot was saved by Bosnia goalkeeper Almir Tolja.

At the previous match in 2002, clashes left 25 injured, including policemen.

The other teams in Group 7 are Lithuania, Belgium, San Marino and Spain.

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Lineups:

Bosnia: Almir Tolja, Dragan Blatnjak, Branimir Bajic (Mirko Hrgovic, 60), Emir Spahic, Sasa Papac (Gradimir Crnogorac, 78), Sergej Barbarez, Ivica Grlic, Mirsad Beslija, Zvjezdan Misimovic, Elvir Baljic (Lago Santos, 78), Elvir Bolic.

Serbia-Montenegro: Dragoslav Jevric, Ivica Dragutinovic, Goran Gavrancic, Mladen Krstajic, Nenad Djordjevic (Marjan Markovic, 55), Igor Duljaj, Dejan Stankovic, Zvonimir Vukic, Ognjen Koroman, Savo Milosevic (Marko Pantelic, 70), Danijel Ljuboja