Euro 2012

Zigic rounds off easy win

Serbia started their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign with a routine victory over Faroe Islands in Torshavn.

Danko Lazovic set the visitors on their way after 13 minutes and when captain Dejan Stankovic doubled their advantage five minutes later it looked like Brian Kerr's hosts could be in for a torrid evening.

But Gunnar Nielsen, on loan at Tranmere from Manchester City, was beaten just once more - by Birmingham new boy Nikola Zigic in the 90th minute.

Serbia, guided by assistant coach Aleksandar Jankovic with boss Radomir Antic serving a four-match touchline ban for dissent during the World Cup, never looked back after establishing a two-goal cushion in the first quarter of the game.

Liverpool forward Milan Jovanovic burst through and found Zigic, whose attempt to go around Nielsen was foiled but Lazovic was in the right place to pounce on the follow-up.

Inter Milan midfielder Stankovic made it 2-0 with a fine free-kick after Jovanovic was fouled.

With their minds perhaps having already turned to Tuesday's second Group C clash with Slovenia in Belgrade, Serbia took their foot off the gas.

The Faroes, beaten 2-1 in Estonia in their opening qualifier last month, could have provided a grandstand finish if Simun Samuelsen had made the most of two chances, but Serbia goalkeeper Andjelko Djuricic was not to be denied a clean sheet.

Nielsen did well to keep out a Jovanovic blast in the 82nd minute, but the third goal did arrive in the last minute - Zigic making no mistake after being set up by substitute Milos Ninkovic.