IrelandDetails
| Date | Time | League | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24 March 2021 | 7:45 pm | Men's Senior | 2020/21 |
Match Report
Serbia undo all of Kenny’s good work
The Republic of Ireland’s fruits of labour were come undone cruelly as Aleksandar Mitrović’s brace was the difference as Stephen Kenny’s search for a win as Ireland manager continues. Despite the result, Ireland’s performance tonight gives plenty to look to going forward.
The key difference tonight was a creative player of the ilk of Dušan Tadić as the Serbian midfielder set up the three goals for his side. Stephen Kenny commented that Serbia was “Ruthless in their chances” and the result was “a kick in the teeth” with Ireland on the “Wrong Side of a narrow defeat”
“Overall I can't believe we conceded three goals” reflected the Ireland boss following the match “It didn’t look like that kind of match.”
Ireland started the game with a game plan that saw the side look to hold a solid defensive shape while breaking the Serbian attacking play down and working from the back to begin to push forward. Stephen Kenny has deployed similar systems in European games and has come to fruition.
Ireland took the lead through Alan Browne who did fantastic to head the past Dmitrovic after some excellent build-up play, the initial first ball was sent out to Enda Stevens who split the defence with a pass to Callum Robinson whose pass was met by Browne. Just rewards from a side that are beginning to utilise the fluidity of Kenny’s passing ethos. Kenny hailed the goal as “A great first goal.”
Ireland continued to frustrate the home side with its fast-paced counter-attacking style and Callum Robinson released the ball to Stevens whose first-time cross was aimed for Aaron Connolly however Serbia's defence cleared the danger on the second attempt. Serbia with ample possession began to truly knock on Ireland defensive door.
Serbia was rewarded as Dušan Tadić headed a clever ball forward into the path of Dušan Vlahović who fired a first-time effort past Travers, you would have felt that if Ireland had held to half time the complexion of the game would have been a lot different.
Ireland began the second half and in the 51st minute, some would say a game-changing decision didn’t fall Ireland way. Aaron Connolly went down in the area under a heavy challenge and there were genuine shouts for a penalty but the referee waved away the protests. After the match, Stephen Kenny said it was a “Cast iron penalty” and wondered “How come there is no VAR in some matches than others”
The momentum seemed to swing completely in Serbias direction and Dušan Tadić the provider once again set up a clever ball to Aleksandar Mitrović and the Fulham striker seeing Mark Travers out of position chipped the ball over the advanced keeper to open his scoring account on the night.
He wasn’t finished there as Tadić once again the architect set up Mitrović with a deft ball into the area and he headed it powerfully past Travers, the red wave of Serbia just overpowering Irelands defence.
Stephen Kenny rung in the changes deploying Robbie Brady, Shane Long and James McClean into the side and he said the sides “Attitude was brilliant” in continuing to press and play the ball forward.
Shane Long forced an error out of Stefan Mitrović and the ball fell to James Collins, the striker had to take two bites of the cherry before it went in but it gave Ireland their second goal of the game and gave the away side a chance to rally at the end.
Upon reflection, this Irish side still hasn’t had its strongest eleven for Stephen Kenny to choose from, but the players and system are beginning to work and will bear fruits in time. What fans need right now is a result, what Kenny needs right now is a win.
Luxembourg on Saturday could be that day.
Timeline
Officials
| Referee |
|---|
| Davide Massa (ITA) |
Ground
| Rajko Mitic Stadium |
|---|
| Rajko Mitić Stadium, Rajka Mitica, МЗ Војвода Мишић (Савски венац), Београд (Савски венац), Savski Venac Urban Municipality, Belgrade, City of Belgrade, Central Serbia, 11000, Serbia |
Ciaran Callan
Ciaran Callan is a part-time sports journalist based in Dundalk, Co. Louth. He has more than 10 year’s experience working with media companies including both extensive radio broadcasting experience along with print and digital media reporting for the SSE Airtricity League as well digital media work with the national sports company eirSport. He joined FinalWhistle in February 2021 as is their main correspondent for Dundalk Football Club.
FULL TIME: Ireland took the lead and played excellent at times but was undone by a spot of magic from Mitrovic. Luxembourg on Saturday awaits.
Brady has a corner but it is cleared at the near post.
Four added minutes, will there be late drama in Belgrade.
Well well well!! The last five minutes will be interesting James Collins taps the ball in after Robbie Brady steals the ball and Collins applies the finish!
The corner from Brady is met by O'Shea at the near post but it goes wide.
And on comes Jovic.
More changes as Vlahovic is off.
The goalscorer comes off.
Robbie Brady comes into the game
Robinson comes off and he is replaced by Robbie Brady
James Collins comes off for McClean
James McClean is on
Tadic the man of the match in my opinion with three assists tonight
Gudeji is on for the last period of the game
The striker is coming off and he has been replaced by a midfielder.
Once again Tadic the provider and Mitrovic has done excellently to rise up and attack the ball and he heads it past Travers.
Racic was replaced after 62 minutes in a straight midfield swap.
Djuricic was replaced after 62 minutes.
A big blow for Ireland, Tadic with a clever pass to Mitrovic who spotted Travers off his line and with a clever chip he sends the ball into the back of the net.
Shane Long has scored goals in the past, lets see if he can get another magical goal.
Connolly was down injured and it looked as if he will be changed
Connolly was down injured and it looked as if he will be changed
Maksimovic also comes on in the midfield.
And here comes Fulhams Mitrovic
Molumby can be proud of is efforts tonight an excellent performance with plenty of energy.
Jeff Hendrick is coming on for his 61st cap for Ireland.
What an excellent passage of play for Ireland as Matt Doherty sends in a teasing cross into the area, Aaron Connolly lets the ball run across the area but no one was there to strike. Fantastic play from Ireland.
Aaron Connolly goes down in the area and there is genuine shouts for a penalty but the referee waved away the protests.
We are back underway for the second half.
A straight swap in terms of team personal for Serbia.
An half time sub for Serbia
Something for the half time tea: In the opening game of 2015 Under 17 League of Ireland season, Merve United's Aaron Connolly faced a Shamrock Rovers side that had Mark Travers in goal. In the opening game of the 2022 World Cup Qualifying campaign they both start for Ireland.
That's half time. A bright start by Ireland but it has been spoiled by an equalising goal by Vlahovic late in the half.
One added minute here at the end of the half.
Excellent save from Mark Travers to deny what would have been a certain goal. Serbia with their tails up from the goal is really putting pressure on the Ireland defence. Ireland must hold firm until half time.
It's a great finish for Serbia as they equalise. A fantastic header from Tadic to set Vlahovic who the ball first time past Travers to level the game.
Elsewhere in our Group A pool, Portugal has taken the lead thanks to Ruben Neves.
Callum Robinson releases the ball to Stevens whose first-time cross aimed for Aaron Connolly is blocked out however Serbia's defence clears the danger on the second attempt.
The influential player is down and is getting treatment. A worrying moment for Stephen Kenny.
Passes completed thus far in the match: Serbia 135 Ireland 70
The stats are showing despite Ireland being in the lead Serbia with 65% of the ball. Ireland's performance of holding firm and breaking on the counter so far has been very pleasing.
Ireland take the lead! Alan Browne does fantastic to head it past Dmitrovic after some excellent build-up play, the ball was sent out to Enda Stevens who split the defence and laid the ball off to Callum Robinson whose cross was met by Browne and Ireland are in front.
Doherty is set free by an excellent Molumby pass but his cross is blocked out, Ireland still testing Serbia out wide to see if they can exploit any aspects of the side.
A real midfield battle here but both sides have had half chances from corners. Ireland keeping their shape but Serbia look very dangerous when the press forward.
Tadic sends in a series of corners, the first was cleared by Seamus Coleman and despite repeated pressure Ireland clear the danger.
Alan Browne tries a variation of the corner routine but it is blocked for another corner. The second is more direct and it falls to Ciaran Clark but it goes wide of the mark.
And we are underway here in Serbia. Ireland will play toward the traditional home end of the Rajko Mitic Stadium in the first half. Ireland it looks will play three at the back.
And here come the teams! Serbia and Ireland come out onto the Rajko Mitic Stadium. What is usually a hostile, loud and full of atmosphere ground, it will be silent as with all stadiums around Europe.
If we are looking for goals tonight we will be looking at new players to do so. In the starting eleven, there are just six international goals between them all. Two of which have been scored by Ciaran Clark.
If we are looking for goals tonight we will be looking at new players to do so. In the starting eleven, there are just six international goals between them all. Two of which have been scored by Ciaran Clark.
There is still some debate as to what formation that Ireland will deploy tonight. The thought of playing a 5-3-2 formation is being muted or a 3-5-2 formation. Stephen Kenny however from his time as manager has always been a manager who trusts a 4-5-1 formation with a holding midfielder and the focus on width with his full-backs and wingers working together to give an attacking threat. Whether he sticks to that principles remains to be seen but I feel that a form of 4-5-1 will be deployed tonight.
Ireland's last meeting with the side was a 1-0 loss thanks to a Kolarov goal in the 55th minute in 2017. Previous to that in 2016 there was a 2-2 draw in Belgrade with goals from Jeff Henrick and Daryl Murphy.
Ireland: Mark Travers (GK), Seamus Coleman (capt), Enda Stevens , Ciaran Clark, Matt Doherty, Alan Browne, Aaron Connolly, Callum Robinson , Jayson Molumby , Josh Cullen, Dara O'Shea
And the important one. This is how Stephen Kenny will line up his side tonight in Serbia.
Starting with the home side and Dragan Stojković has chosen to line up this evening. Serbia: Marko Dmitrović (GK), Strahinja Pavlović, Filip Mladenović, Nikola Milenković (capt), Dušan Tadić, Stefan Mitrović, Uroš Račić, Milan Gajić, Saša Lukić, Dušan Vlahović, Filip Djuričić. Subs: Predrag Rajković (GK), 23 Đorđe Nikolić (GK), Uroš Spajić ,Nemanja Maksimović Nemanja Radonjić, Nemanja Gudelj Aleksandar Mitrović, Luk Jović, Filip Kostić, Mihailo Ristić, Sergej MilinkovićSavić, Marko Petković
Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen you are most welcome to tonights live coverage of the Republic of Ireland opening World Cup Qualifier against Serbia. I'm Ciaran Callan and I'm delighted to bring you the action as it happens from the Rajko Mitic Stadium. We will be posting the team news shortly.