The home fans who’ve filled the Aviva Stadium will go home feeling robbed as Republic of Ireland couldn’t step up against visitors Serbia on Tuesday. When the whistle was blown, The Green Army fell short and were defeated 1-0.
Despite Napoli defender Nikola Maksimovic’s dismissal for a foul on the 68th minute, the goal scored by compatriot Aleksandar Kolarov 13 minutes earlier proved enough to seal the victory for the Eagles.
Republic of Ireland’s defeat meant they’ve missed a golden chance to overtake Serbia in the table. Instead, they’ve lost their place for a possible play-off spot to Wales as the Greens drop to third in Group D. Now they’ll need to be on their toes if they are to keep their hopes of qualifying for the World Cup alive.
From the get-go, it appears Ireland struggled to get their game going. Serbia started the game looking dominant and in control, with the likes of Southampton target man Dusan Tadic and Hamburg playmaker Filip Kostic causing problems for the Boys in Green. Ireland would have chances of their own, however. Tadic’s Saints team-mate Shane Long had attempts on goal from outside the box – to no avail.
Kolarov came closest to scoring in the first half when his direct free kick from 35 yards came agonisingly close to hitting the back of the net, only for the ball to stray to the right from goal. This meant the first half would end in gritty stalemate.
The start of the second half would see a similar story to the first, with Serbia managing to be just ahead of their opponents in terms of possession and attacking chances. Tadic had it really close just a minute from restart although Ireland keeper Darren Randolph showing safe hands to save the ball.
There were no saves Randlph could pull off ten minutes later, however. Former Manchester City star Aleksandar Kolarov pounced on a well-placed pass by Kostic towards the left side of the box. With a cool left-footed shot, Kolarov hits the ball towards the back of the net for the opening goal.
From there, the home side would try and up the ante. Indeed, the barraged through Serbia’s defence like wildfire, forcing defender Nikola Maksimovic to commit a foul and get sent off for it. It would prove, however, that the centre-back took one for the team as Serbia held on and managed to win the game 1-0 in the end.
Now Republic of Ireland are left in a bit of a quandary and will have to bring their A-game come October, when they face Wales and Moldova in the last two games of the European qualifiers.