Vidic eager to avoid England

Vidic: Second-round target

Nemanja Vidic is eager to avoid a second-round clash with England should Serbia progress from their World Cup group.

Serbia have been drawn in Group D along with Germany, Australia and Ghana, and in the last 16 the two qualifiers will face those from Group C, which features England.

Vidic is well aware of the threat England possess having played the last four years in the Premier League with Manchester United and he knows Serbia would face a major obstacle to reach the quarter-finals.

But having failed to earn a single point in Germany four years ago, the no-nonsense defender believes just qualifying from Group C would be a great achievement for Serbia.

"If we got to the second round I would like to miss England," he said.

"England are the strongest team we could play so I would prefer to avoid them.

"I play in England. I play against these players and I train with some of them every day.

"But it is best to focus on the first game because success at the World Cup for Serbia would be to reach the second round.

Bonus

"If we do that we would be happy. After that everything else is extra."

Vidic failed to make an appearance in 2006 as he was suspended for Serbia's opening game and was then ruled out of their final two group matches through injury.

Now 28, the former Spartak Moscow man knows this may be his last chance to play on the biggest stage and is determined to make an impact in South Africa.

"It is a big thing for anyone to play at a World Cup," he said. "I am no different.

"But I don't just want to play. I want to do well. I want to achieve something I can be proud of.

"I have reached an age where it could be my last World Cup so I will give everything I can to make it a positive experience, for both myself and the team."