Republic of Ireland 0-1 Serbia
After a thrilling live betting affair in Dublin, Serbia are now one win away to World Cup qualification while Ireland are in danger of missing it all out.
It could have gone differently for Ireland, especially after Serbia were left with ten men with still 20 minutes remaining on the clock. However, Martin O’Neill’s men weren’t able to turn around the betting odds in time to at least share the spoils.
In the end, an Aleksandar Kolarov left-footed shot on 55 minutes, played by the brilliant Filip Kostic, was enough to give Serbia the victory at Aviva Stadium.
Serbia were the better side and showed the know-how that made them online gambling favourites ahead of the match, but Ireland entered the game clearly with getting the win and all three points as their top priority.
The Boys in Green started brightly and looked dangerous for the most part. David Meyler produced a man of the match performance to lead a much-improved display after their underwhelming draw with Georgia during the weekend.
Brighton defender Shane Duffy appeared to have found the back of the net in the 10th minute, but his thumping header was ruled out for offside. Shane Long also had the chance to break the deadlock only for Serb keeper Vladimir Stojkovic to deny him.
And after Serbia launched a second-half barrage that led to Kolarov’s winner, the Irishmen grew desperate for the equaliser.
The Republic found some hope following Nikola Maksimovic’s 68th-minute dismissal; nonetheless, it all went in vain as Serbia kept them at bay, with substitute Daryl Murphy’s last-gasp effort going straight to Stojkovic.
It also didn’t help that Robbie Brady and James McClean, out of frustration, received bookings late in the game, which means that they will sit out their must-win battle against Moldova in October.
Serbia stay atop Group D with 18 points and a win against Austria next month will ensure them a place in Russia 2018. Meanwhile, Ireland drop to third, a point behind Wales, and could only hope to secure a runner-up finish for a playoff spot.
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