Lazović retires from international football
Friday, March 18, 2011
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Serbia forward Danko Lazović, 27, has announced his international retirement with immediate effect, citing a desire to focus on club responsibilities with FC Zenit St Petersburg.
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FC Zenit St Petersburg forward Danko Lazović has announced his international retirement with immediate effect.
The 27-year-old has scored 11 goals in 43 appearances for Serbia but on Thursday he informed the national football association he had decided to step back with immediate effect. Lazović cited a desire to focus on club responsibilities, with Zenit's Liga title defence just kicking off in a transitional season that will stretch over 18 months.
Lazović, who has also won league titles with FK Partizan and PSV Eindhoven, was part of Serbia's 2010 FIFA World Cup squad and has scored once in three UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying appearances. His decision comes a week before the side's meeting with Northern Ireland. They travel to Estonia four days later and, having picked up four points from as many games so far, need back-to-back wins to revive their Group C hopes.