The Balkan side had maintained a virtually clean sheet in qualifying and emerged from their group ahead of the more fancied Spain, heralding potentially one of the strongest teams in Germany.

Instead, after 3-2 defeat at the hands of Ivory Coast Wednesday, Serbia and Montenegro drew a complete blank on their points tally in the "Group of Death".

They scored just two goals, while ten penetrated their previously impermeable defence.

"We gave our all today so as not to lose," said goal scorer Sasa Ilic after a more spirited performance by his side that saw them leading by two goals before half time.

"In the second half we had to defend more and I'm just sorry we're going home without having a single point."

Now the Serb-dominated squad will split into two, and re-form as two separate teams under as yet unnamed coaches after the contested Ilija Petkovic decided to stand down.

Petkovic said he was "very proud" of what the squad had achieved in the last match despite rows about his coaching and a rash of injuries through the tournament -- and against the Elephants -- that deprived it of key players.

"Time will show that I'm right in saying this," Petkovic added.

"As far as Serbia is concerned, I will say it is indestructible."

Serbia's and Montenegro football associations are set to part company in the coming weeks, following the tiny state of Montenegro's proclamation of independence from its bigger brother earlier this month.

Serbia is expected to take over the side's Euro 2008 qualifying berth, according to the UEFA website, while Montenegro applies for FIFA and UEFA membership.

Petkovic insisted that the team had improved on the poor showing in the first two World Cup matches, a 1-0 defeat against the Netherlands, and a 6-0 humiliation at the hands of the inspired Argentinians.

"Of course it's a blow to our ego, but you have to understand the two goals we scored are fantastic," Petkovic explained late Wednesday.

"We need to reflect and prepare for the future. Everyone will remember this World Cup and so will we."

The break-up of Yugoslavia gradually pared down one of Europe's most competitive teams, which was formed around its most powerful Serbian core.

Bosnia-Hercegovina, Slovenia and Croatia have been competing separately since the 1990s and the break-up has yielded at least one other world class team in the region.

Croatia reached the 1998 semi-finals and qualified for the 2006 World Cup - it still has a slim chance of reaching the second round in its last match against Australia on June 22.