Republic of Ireland 1 - 3 Serbia | 2017 - UEFA Under 21 | 2016148

UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualifying Round | Regional Sports Centre, Waterford

07 October 2016 - 17:45

Republic of Ireland 1 - 3 Serbia

Duffus(49) full-time Mihajlović(64) Gaćinović(67) Lukić(88)

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Ireland U21s beaten 3-1 by Serbia at RSC

THE Republic of Ireland U21 side went down to an unfortunate 3-1 loss to Serbia in an exciting encounter at the RSC this evening.

7th Oct 2016

Noel King's side took the lead early in the second half through Everton striker Courtney Duffus but Serbia - World U20 Champions last year - produced a dramatic fight-back to claim the three points in what was the final game of Ireland's qualifying campaign.

Serbia threatened an opener in the eighth minute when Mijat Gačinović burst through the centre of the Irish defence but Kevin O'Connor got back to pressure the striker and the ball ran through to keeper Liam Bossin.

Despite sustained Irish pressure it was the Serbs who had the first shot on target but Andrija Živković's low strike from 25 yards in the 22nd minute was comfortably dealt with by Bossin.

Olamide Shodipo had Ireland's first major chance in the 26th minute after a clever pass by Alan Browne but unfortunately he flashed his effort across the face of the Serbian goal.

Two minutes later the dangerous winger Andrija Živković cut in from the right flank but his low strike from outside the box skidded narrowly wide.

Ireland had a big chance to break the deadlock in the 41st minute when Shodipo launched a break down the right flank and found the head of Alan Browne but the midfielder's header lacked the power to really test keeper Vanja Milinković-Savić.

Uroš Djurdjević produced a moment of magic just before half-time to flick the ball up over an Irish defender and volley goal-wards but Bossin reacted well to push the ball wide.

Two minutes into the second half Djurdjević curled narrowly wide in another dangerous attack by the visitors.

Ireland went ahead in the 49th minute when Duffus broke between the two Serbian centre-backs and produced a neat left footed finish past Milinković-Savić for an excellent goal.

Bossin showed his class with two decent saves. Živković fired towards the top corner with a well-hit free-kick in the 52nd minute but Bossin tipped over. One minute later Darko Lazić got his head to corner by Živković and once again the Irish keeper was in the right place to save.

Serbia had a chance to level in the 61st minute when Eoghan O'Connell was penalised for a challenge on Djurdjević and the referee awarded a spot-kick. Bossin showed his quality once more with a brilliant save from Serbian skipper Djurdjević.

It was disappointing for the Irish to then concede in the 64th minute. Živković produced a clever chip over the home defence and Nemanja Mihajlović raced through to fire past the advancing Irish keeper.

Three minutes later the visitors showed their class when they took the lead. Bossin made a brilliant reaction stop to keep out a Djurdjević header but Mijat Gačinović reacted first to turn the loose ball home.

Irish sub Sean Maguire had a half-chance in the 80th minute but pulled his effort across the face of the Serbian goal under pressure from a defender.

Unfortunately the Irish efforts to equalise saw them vulnerable on the counter-attack and in the 88th minute Sasa Lukić finished off a break led by Mihajlović to kill off the tie.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Liam Bossin, Eoghan O'Connell, Kevin O'Connor, Darragh Lenihan, Thomas Hoban, Alan Browne, Harry Charsley, Josh Cullen, Courtney Duffus (Seán Maguire 71), Jack Byrne (Jake Mulraney 71), Olamide Shodipo (Sean Kavanagh 79).

SERBIA: Vanja Milinković-Savić, Milan Gajić, Darko Lazić, Miloš Veljković, Uroš Djurdjević (Ognjen Ožegović 78), Mijat Gačinović, Aleksandar Čavrić (Nemanja Mihajlović 59), Marko Grujić, Andrija Živković, Saša Lukić (Vukašin Jovanović 89), Mihailo Ristić.

Ireland U21s ready for Serbia challenge at RSC

THE Republic of Ireland U21 team will look to see out its UEFA U21 Championships qualifying campaign on a winning note when Noel King’s side hosts Serbia at the RSC, Waterford, tomorrow (5.45pm).

6th Oct 2016

King’s charges have beaten Slovenia, Lithuania and Andorra at home in this campaign and the Irish head coach wants to make it four wins from five at home. Italy were the only visiting side to record a victory over the Irish at the RSC in this campaign.

Serbia won the FIFA U20 World Championships in New Zealand last year beating Brazil 2-1 in the final but the Irish were unfortunate not to at least draw with the Serbs in Novi Sad last month. The Boys in Green lost 3-2 in a thrilling encounter.

"Everything has gone well since we met up on Tuesday. The boys have all trained well and are all looking forward to this game. I feel that the players are anxious to have a go at Serbia," said King.

"Obviously Serbia are a very highly regarded side and have lots of talent so it'll be a tough task but even so we will go into this game in a positive manner.

"In our last game in Waterford against Slovenia we were very good in most aspects both in an attacking and defensive sense and we deserved a 2-0 win. We then went to Serbia and maintained that level of performance, scored twice and felt we deserved a result but unfortunately were narrowly beaten.

"We feel we can produce another good performance against a top ranked side and we'll see what happens from there. We're not lacking for motivation and we won't lack for desire.

"There's ten players with this group that are eligible for the next campaign so we'll will be looking forward to them building on the experience they've gained in recent months but we're also happy to have the likes of Alan Browne back around the place and the other experienced players like Tommy Hoban and Darragh Lenihan mixing in. Courtney Duffus has also been an asset and we're pleased to have him with us again. However, it's not about the individuals but how the whole group responds."

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND:

Liam Bossin (RSC Anderlecht)

Eric Grimes (Cork City)

Stephen McGuinness (Drogheda United)

Thomas Hoban (Watford - on loan at Blackburn)

Eoghan O’Connell (Celtic)

Kevin O’Connor (Cork City)

Sean Hoare (St Patrick's Athletic)

Liam Kinsella (Walsall)

Sean Kavanagh (Fulham)

Shaun Donnellan (WBA)

Darragh Lenihan (Blackburn Rovers)

Alan Browne (Preston North End)

Josh Cullen (West Ham - on loan at Bradford)

Connor Dimaio (Chesterfield)

Jack Byrne (Man City - on loan at Blackburn)

Harry Charsley (Everton)

Olamide Shodipo (QPR)

Jake Mulraney (Inverness Caley Thistle)

Courtney Duffus (Everton)

Sean Maguire (Cork City)

FIXTURE

2017 Under-21 Championship Qualifying Round Group 2

Friday, October 7, 2016

Republic of Ireland v Serbia, RSC, Waterford (5.45pm)

Tactical Lineups

Republic of Ireland

Substitutes

Coach

Noel King

Serbia

Substitutes

1 Boris Radunović (G)
6 Nikola Maraš
7 Ognjen Ožegović
14 Vukašin Jovanović
15 Aleksandar Filipović
18 Nemanja Mihajlović
22 Srdjan Plavšić

Coach

Tomislav Sivić

Officials

Referee Kirill Levnikov
Assistant Referees Vyacheslav Semenov
UEFA Delegate José Luis Astiazarán Iriondo
Assistant Referee Two Andrei Vereteshkin
Fourth Official Igor Fedotov
Referee Observer Mehmet Ilgaz

Minute by Minute Commentary

1" The match is under way.
1" Aleksandar Čavrić (Serbia) misses the target.
8" Jack Byrne (Republic of Ireland) takes the corner.
9" Andrija Živković (Serbia) has a shot blocked.
11" Olamide Shodipo (Republic of Ireland) is penalised for a foul on Milan Gajić (Serbia).
15" Miloš Veljković (Serbia) is penalised for a foul on Henry Charsley (Republic of Ireland).
16" Jack Byrne (Republic of Ireland) takes the free-kick.
17" Jack Byrne (Republic of Ireland) takes the corner.
18" Jack Byrne (Republic of Ireland) takes the corner.
21" Uroš Đurđević (Serbia) is cautioned by the referee.
22" Andrija Živković (Serbia) has an effort on goal.
22" Liam Bossin (Republic of Ireland) blocks a shot.
26" Olamide Shodipo (Republic of Ireland) misses the target.
26" Saša Lukić (Serbia) is penalised for a foul on Jack Byrne (Republic of Ireland).
28" Andrija Živković (Serbia) misses the target.
33" Andrija Živković (Serbia) takes the corner.
34" Saša Lukić (Serbia) misses the target.
37" Aleksandar Čavrić (Serbia) is penalised for a foul on Darragh Lenihan (Republic of Ireland).
38" Alan Browne (Republic of Ireland) is penalised for a foul on Mijat Gaćinović (Serbia).
38" Alan Browne (Republic of Ireland) is cautioned by the referee.
39" Uroš Đurđević (Serbia) misses the target.
41" Mijat Gaćinović (Serbia) takes the corner.
41" Alan Browne (Republic of Ireland) has an effort on goal.
41" Vanja Milinković-Savić (Serbia) blocks a shot.
45+1" Henry Charsley (Republic of Ireland) has an effort on goal.
45+1" Vanja Milinković-Savić (Serbia) blocks a shot.
45+1" Uroš Đurđević (Serbia) has an effort on goal.
45+1" Liam Bossin (Republic of Ireland) blocks a shot.
45+2" Mijat Gaćinović (Serbia) takes the corner.
The referee blows for half-time.
46" The second half begins.
46" Mijat Gaćinović (Serbia) misses the target.
47" Uroš Đurđević (Serbia) misses the target.
48" Milan Gajić (Serbia) is penalised for a foul on Olamide Shodipo (Republic of Ireland).
48" Jack Byrne (Republic of Ireland) takes the free-kick.
49" Courtney Duffus (Republic of Ireland) scores!
49" Henry Charsley (Republic of Ireland) assists.
51" Thomas Hoban (Republic of Ireland) is penalised for a foul on Uroš Đurđević (Serbia).
51" Thomas Hoban (Republic of Ireland) is cautioned by the referee.
52" Andrija Živković (Serbia) takes the free-kick.
52" Andrija Živković (Serbia) has an effort on goal.
52" Liam Bossin (Republic of Ireland) blocks a shot.
52" Andrija Živković (Serbia) takes the corner.
52" Andrija Živković (Serbia) takes the corner.
53" Aleksandar Čavrić (Serbia) has a shot blocked.
53" Andrija Živković (Serbia) takes the corner.
53" Darko Lazić (Serbia) has an effort on goal.
53" Liam Bossin (Republic of Ireland) blocks a shot.
54" Marko Grujić (Serbia) misses the target.
59" Nemanja Mihajlović (in) - Aleksandar Čavrić (out) (@@teamID)
61" Eoghan O'Connell (Republic of Ireland) is penalised for a foul on Uroš Đurđević (Serbia).
62" Eoghan O'Connell (Republic of Ireland) is cautioned by the referee.
62" Uroš Đurđević (Serbia) hits the post from the penalty spot.
63" Andrija Živković (Serbia) has a shot blocked.
64" Jack Byrne (Republic of Ireland) takes the corner.
64" Nemanja Mihajlović (Serbia) scores!
64" Andrija Živković (Serbia) assists.
66" Andrija Živković (Serbia) takes the corner.
66" Milan Gajić (Serbia) is penalised for a foul on Olamide Shodipo (Republic of Ireland).
66" Milan Gajić (Serbia) is cautioned by the referee.
67" Jack Byrne (Republic of Ireland) takes the free-kick.
67" Uroš Đurđević (Serbia) has an effort on goal.
67" Liam Bossin (Republic of Ireland) blocks a shot.
67" Mijat Gaćinović (Serbia) scores!
69" Jack Byrne (Republic of Ireland) takes the corner.
69" Courtney Duffus (Republic of Ireland) has a shot blocked.
70" Nemanja Mihajlović (Serbia) has a shot blocked.
71" Jake Mulraney (in) - Jack Byrne (out) (@@teamID)
71" Seán Maguire (in) - Courtney Duffus (out) (@@teamID)
75" Marko Grujić (Serbia) is penalised for a foul on Henry Charsley (Republic of Ireland).
76" Darko Lazić (Serbia) is penalised for a foul on Seán Maguire (Republic of Ireland).
76" Darko Lazić (Serbia) is cautioned by the referee.
76" Kevin O'Connor (Republic of Ireland) takes the free-kick.
78" Ognjen Ožegović (in) - Uroš Đurđević (out) (@@teamID)
79" Sean Kavanagh (in) - Olamide Shodipo (out) (@@teamID)
80" Seán Maguire (Republic of Ireland) misses the target.
80" Marko Grujić (Serbia) misses the target.
82" Sean Kavanagh (Republic of Ireland) takes the corner.
82" Sean Kavanagh (Republic of Ireland) takes the corner.
83" Henry Charsley (Republic of Ireland) is flagged for offside.
83" Ognjen Ožegović (Serbia) is flagged for offside.
84" Darragh Lenihan (Republic of Ireland) is penalised for a foul on Ognjen Ožegović (Serbia).
85" Ognjen Ožegović (Serbia) is penalised for a foul on Jake Mulraney (Republic of Ireland).
86" Alan Browne (Republic of Ireland) is penalised for a foul on Ognjen Ožegović (Serbia).
86" Mihailo Ristić (Serbia) takes the free-kick.
86" Mihailo Ristić (Serbia) has a shot blocked.
87" Marko Grujić (Serbia) is penalised for a foul on Henry Charsley (Republic of Ireland).
88" Kevin O'Connor (Republic of Ireland) takes the free-kick.
88" Saša Lukić (Serbia) scores!
88" Nemanja Mihajlović (Serbia) assists.
89" Vukašin Jovanović (in) - Saša Lukić (out) (@@teamID)
90+3" Andrija Živković (Serbia) takes the corner.
90+3" Alan Browne (Republic of Ireland) is penalised for a foul on Ognjen Ožegović (Serbia).
90+4" Seán Maguire (Republic of Ireland) is flagged for offside.
The final whistle is blown.