Matic and Kolarov considering step down from international duty

Mladen Krstajic's Serbian team finished third in Group E after succumbing to a 2-0 defeat by Brazil, and failed to reach the knock out stages at the World Cup.

The exit could have ramifications for some players with Kolarov telling 'Blic': "I will speak with the people from the football federation, whether they see me in the national team.

"If I can't contribute to what the national side needs, I won't be selfish. It will he hard for me but I will stay away."

"First I need a rest," Matic said. "I'm drained, both emotionally and physically. We'll see. If I feel I cannot give my maximum, I'll pull out."

Much of the Serbian press praised the team for their fighting spirit while playing the five-time world champions.

According to the 'Daily Mail', when asked about the match which knocked them out, manager Krstajic said: "We went out to win against a powerhouse in modern football and we came up short, I congratulate my players for their brave efforts.

"That's how it goes in football. We have to up our game. We came to the World Cup to show our true colours after eight years of missing out on major tournaments. We can be very satisfied with our performance," he added.