Serbia V Republic of Ireland: What just happened
The Republic of Ireland got their campaign in the World Cup Qualifiers with a difficult trip to Belgrade as they faced revitalised Serbian side sunder new coach Slavoljub Muslin. Martin O' Neil's side are fresh off a fantastic European Champions performance winning against Italy to set up a tie against the host France before being knocked out by the eventual finalists. Interestingly, Serbia had failed to qualify for the sat three major international competitions, but with the introduction of Muslin to the helm, thes Serbs will look to get off to a winning start at home. Muslin named a string side with big names such as Branislav Ivanovic of Chelsea, Southampton's Dusan Tadic and Aleksander Mitrovic of Championship side Newcastle United. Burnley's record signing Jeff Hendrick kept his place in the midfield after a stellar performances France. Seamus Coleman captained the side tonight after the retirement of Robbie Keane, while Euro 2016 hero Robbie Brady started on the left while Shane Long led the line for the Republic.
Dusan Tadic seen a cross into the area cleared by Coleman, and at the other end James McClean won a free kick in a good position with just 2 minutes played. Hendrick and Brady stood over it with and his cross come shot produced a save from the keeper and after some confusion in the area, the ball fell to Jeff Hendrick on the edge of the area and the Burnley man seen his half volley deflect off Branislav Ivanovic to give Ireland a dream start as they found themselves a goal to the good inside 5 minutes. Aleksander Mitrovic then from the edge of the box after the restart blazed over for Serbia. Brady then got a second bite at the cherry after his first cross was cleared and he second found Long at the back post but he was adjudged offside. Rukavina then wasted a chance at the other end as the Serbs looked nervous at the back. Captain Seamus Coleman was again on hand to prevent an equaliser as a ball came into the area and Darren Randolph was brought down only for Coleman to clear off the line. Jeff Hendrick picked up a yellow card after an ariel battle with a Serbian midfielder with 25 minutes gone. Another corner seen a clearance only back to the deliverer and the second ball in nearly seen Matija Nastastic prodding home after a miskick by an Ireland jersey. Robbie Brady then delivered a better ball into the area headed on by Jon Walters and the Serbian keeper had to get down low to prevent a second goal for Ireland. Ireland some how managed to survive again with a delivery from Rukavina putting Darren Randolph under pressure as he spilled in the area but the the Ireland defence managed to scramble clear as the first half came to an end.
Serbia started the second as they left the first, looking for the target man Aleksander Mitrovic in the middle via crosses. Ireland were just trying to weather the constant storm from the home side and look to hold on to their goal lead. Serbia were enjoying a decent spell of possession as Ireland were creating very little to nothing with Robbie Brady seeming isolated on the left. Aleksander Mitrovic was replaced by Pavlovic who was given a half an hour to find an equaliser. Serbia then found a deserving equaliser with Bundesliga star Filip Kostic sweeping home after some good hold up play from Serbia. Darren Randolph again looked shaky with his handling as he spilled another cross and was lucky to see the resulting shot easily caught. With just over 29 minutes to play Filip Kostic looked to have got down rather easily under little to no pressure from Jon Walters and Dusan Tadic stepped up to give Serbia a 2-1 advantage. No doubt Serbia have deserved there lead but some questions have to be asked about the decision to award the penalty in the first place. Stephen Quinn was introduced by O' Neill as he replaced Stephen Ward. Serbia somehow managed to hit the crossbar when it looked easier to make it 3-1 with Darren Randolph grateful. Ireland then had a goal disallowed for offside after Jon Walters was judged to have been in an offside position before heading home. Daryl Murphy was introduced in place of goal scorer Jeff Hendrick as Ireland searched for an equaliser. With just 19 minutes remaining, Daryl Murphy scored his first ever Ireland goal on his 23rd cap as he headed home well from a corner to draw things up. Ireland were once again thankful for a man on the line as Ivanovic thought he had given his side a 3-2 advantage but the ball was cleared off the line. 3 minutes of added time were announced as both sides looked for a late equaliser. Shane Long hobbled off gingerly and was replaced by Ciaran Clark his replacement. Neither side could find a late equaliser as the referee sounded the full time whistle as both sides shared the spoils.
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Dusan Tadic seen a cross into the area cleared by Coleman, and at the other end James McClean won a free kick in a good position with just 2 minutes played. Hendrick and Brady stood over it with and his cross come shot produced a save from the keeper and after some confusion in the area, the ball fell to Jeff Hendrick on the edge of the area and the Burnley man seen his half volley deflect off Branislav Ivanovic to give Ireland a dream start as they found themselves a goal to the good inside 5 minutes. Aleksander Mitrovic then from the edge of the box after the restart blazed over for Serbia. Brady then got a second bite at the cherry after his first cross was cleared and he second found Long at the back post but he was adjudged offside. Rukavina then wasted a chance at the other end as the Serbs looked nervous at the back. Captain Seamus Coleman was again on hand to prevent an equaliser as a ball came into the area and Darren Randolph was brought down only for Coleman to clear off the line. Jeff Hendrick picked up a yellow card after an ariel battle with a Serbian midfielder with 25 minutes gone. Another corner seen a clearance only back to the deliverer and the second ball in nearly seen Matija Nastastic prodding home after a miskick by an Ireland jersey. Robbie Brady then delivered a better ball into the area headed on by Jon Walters and the Serbian keeper had to get down low to prevent a second goal for Ireland. Ireland some how managed to survive again with a delivery from Rukavina putting Darren Randolph under pressure as he spilled in the area but the the Ireland defence managed to scramble clear as the first half came to an end.
Serbia started the second as they left the first, looking for the target man Aleksander Mitrovic in the middle via crosses. Ireland were just trying to weather the constant storm from the home side and look to hold on to their goal lead. Serbia were enjoying a decent spell of possession as Ireland were creating very little to nothing with Robbie Brady seeming isolated on the left. Aleksander Mitrovic was replaced by Pavlovic who was given a half an hour to find an equaliser. Serbia then found a deserving equaliser with Bundesliga star Filip Kostic sweeping home after some good hold up play from Serbia. Darren Randolph again looked shaky with his handling as he spilled another cross and was lucky to see the resulting shot easily caught. With just over 29 minutes to play Filip Kostic looked to have got down rather easily under little to no pressure from Jon Walters and Dusan Tadic stepped up to give Serbia a 2-1 advantage. No doubt Serbia have deserved there lead but some questions have to be asked about the decision to award the penalty in the first place. Stephen Quinn was introduced by O' Neill as he replaced Stephen Ward. Serbia somehow managed to hit the crossbar when it looked easier to make it 3-1 with Darren Randolph grateful. Ireland then had a goal disallowed for offside after Jon Walters was judged to have been in an offside position before heading home. Daryl Murphy was introduced in place of goal scorer Jeff Hendrick as Ireland searched for an equaliser. With just 19 minutes remaining, Daryl Murphy scored his first ever Ireland goal on his 23rd cap as he headed home well from a corner to draw things up. Ireland were once again thankful for a man on the line as Ivanovic thought he had given his side a 3-2 advantage but the ball was cleared off the line. 3 minutes of added time were announced as both sides looked for a late equaliser. Shane Long hobbled off gingerly and was replaced by Ciaran Clark his replacement. Neither side could find a late equaliser as the referee sounded the full time whistle as both sides shared the spoils.
Please, like comment and follow for daily football news and opinions.
Requests:markeyross198.RM@gmail.com
Ross
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