Serbia and Mali battle for spot in final

Serbia player Sergej Milinkovic (red) in action against Mali player Souleymane Coulibaly during the semi-final match of the U-20 World Cup between Serbia and Mali. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Tension is building at North Harbour Stadium in Auckland tonight, with semi-finalists Serbia and Mali tied up at 1-1.

The young West African team, who were trailing for much of the first half, equalised just before half-time with a stunning long range goal from Youssouf Kone.

The jubilation and celebration of the players and bench was met with huge cheers from the crowd, many of whom seem to be supporting the boys in yellow.

The Serbian community in Auckland have come out in force, however, and were rewarded early when their side went 1-0 up from a strike by Andrija Zivkovic.

At half-time, George Kondic from Belgrade said he hoped his side would return to the form they were displaying in early stages of the first half.

Mr Kondic, who moved to New Zealand 21 years ago, said Serbia had missed crucial chances in the first half.

"If we scored those couple of really good chances that we had we would already be a couple of goals up.

"We were dominating the first half then we let it go and they [Mali] now have the initiative. It's not looking that promising, I hope they will change in the second half and start playing again."

Mr Kondic said he was a big football fan "back home" and believed one more goal for Serbia would be enough to win.

"I'm hoping 2-1 for us, [that] should be sufficient, that should be enough."