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With Portugal generally expected to lead the group, second place should be between Serbia and Ireland, which would keep hopes of qualifying for the World Cup alive.
So it’s an important game for Stephen Kenny’s crew. A loss would already make qualification unlikely, while a win would give the Boys in Green a significant boost.
However, a draw would certainly be safe given the number of players currently missing from the Irish squad due to injury an acceptable result.
However, it will not be easy to have the superior players on paper against a Serbian team that most people would agree with.
TEAM NEWS | Serbia vs. Ireland ▪️ Seamus Coleman & Matt Doherty starts ▪ Aaron Connolly & Callum Robinson starts in front; Cullen, Molumby & Browne starts in midfield A new look Ireland for a new campaign 🙌COME ON BOYS! 🇮🇪 # WEAREONE | #COYBIG | #SRBIRL pic.twitter.com/csTxkpEMuY
1976 – The Republic of Ireland has not lost its opening game in a World Cup qualifier since the 1978 World Cup qualification against France and lost 2-0 in Paris under Johnny Giles in 1976. You have been unbeaten in 10 such games since then (W7 D3). Appetizers. pic.twitter.com/UpsrgvCJw4
Ireland’s Enda Stevens and Matt Doherty before the game.
Source: Nikola Krstic / INPHO
An Alan Browne curve is driven down. It comes from Clark – not sure he knew much about it – and only goes a long way.
However, Coleman is vigilant. He intercepts quickly before it goes to a corner.
Tadic’s corner finds Pavlovic’s head, but the Irish defender does just enough to prevent him from scoring a clear goal.
Serbia begins the Dominating possession, but Ireland defended with discipline, forcing their rivals to play it mostly in front of them.
Eventually Robinson tucked in a nice cross and Browne made a big jump before putting a perfect header into the corner of the net .
Tadic plays a dangerous ball after a free kick that Doherty has to shoot to a corner.
The former Southampton man sees a lot of ball and looks Serbia’s most creative player and his greatest threat.
Despite hers Success in this division, the hosts have tried to create clear opportunities.
Here’s a look at how Ireland ended their long-term development without a target …
Alan Browne gave Ireland the lead against Serbia
It g Currently worried when Josh Cullen goes down injured, it looks like it’s okay to move on.
Irishman Alan Browne celebrates after scoring a goal with Aaron Connolly.
Source: Nikola Krstic / INPHO
A header from Tadic finds Vlahovic, who pulls O’Shea’s shoulder and neatly tucked it into the corner of the net.
Djuricic finds a low cross, but Clark does well to set the block and prevent him from getting a clear goal attempt.
Moments later, Tadic slips through this man, Djuricic, but Travers comes down well to save from close range.
Ireland is A bit under pressure here and happy about the whistle at halftime.
So overall it was a decent 45 minutes for Ireland, especially given the less than ideal circumstances in this game.
The backline in general looked all the way to goal very solid when Ciaran Clark didn’t win the header and Vlahovic reacted just a little bit more sharply than O’Shea.
Serbia struggled to create many chances but looked very dangerous towards the end of that opening 45, and so will Ireland be glad that it is now able to I have the opportunity to rest and regroup.
And the biggest plus, of course, is that they ended an 11+ hour drought thanks to Alan Browne’s really well-hit goal, which provided the much-needed confidence boost.
Serbia starts the second half with the first – on the forefoot.
The West Brom star’s low cross is looking for the onrushing Connolly, but the defender does just enough to keep the ball from getting in Goal turns.
Much to the frustration of the Irish players, the referee only misses a corner for believing the defender got the ball, but replay suggests that Ireland may have been unlucky not to have a penalty to get.
Serbia’s Nikola Milenković with Jayson Molumby from Ireland.
Source: Nikola Krstic / INPHO
It would have been tough when Coleman seemed to slip and Vlahovic then fell over him as he chased the ball.
At the other end, Ireland is working on Doherty but Connolly can make the low cross of the Spurs man.
Jeff Hendrick replaces Molumby, who worked hard and had a decent game.
Tadic is playing with Mitrovic, who is off the bench, and with a first Attempt hits the striker Travers exquisitely from the edge of the field.
The Irishman Aaron Connolly is attacked by Aleksandar Mitrović from Serbia.
Source: Nikola Krstic / INPHO
Then he uses Collins, who can easily reach an open goal with the stranded goalkeeper.
There were some positive aspects. After more than eleven hours without scoring, Ireland managed two tonight.
They had greater strength in depth, as indicated by the fact that they could afford Mitrovic, who hit braces, first on the Leaving the bench.
Tadic was the best player on the field and gave Serbia the creative edge that Ireland all too often lacks.
Qualifying will now be a difficult task as reigning European champions Portugal play twice more must.
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