SM
Real Madrid vs AC Milan: 14 hrs 23 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data
RO
World Cup Qualifying - Europe | Group Stage
Sep 7, 2021 at 7.45pm UK
Aviva Stadium
SN

Rep. Ireland
1 - 1
Serbia

Milenkovic (87' og.)
Idah (31'), Browne (50'), Molumby (89')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Milinkovic-Savic (20')
Duricic (25'), Radonjic (85')

Republic of Ireland grab draw as Sergej Milinkovic-Savic goes from hero to zero

:Headline: Republic of Ireland grab draw as Sergej Milinkovic-Savic goes from hero to zero:
Keeper Gavin Bazunu had kept Ireland in the game against Serbia with a string of fine saves.
Sports Mole

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic was both hero and villain for Serbia as the Republic of Ireland struck late once again to snatch a World Cup qualifying draw.

On a night when the visitors, marshalled by the brilliant Dusan Tadic, were quicker in thought and deed for long periods, Milinkovic-Savic, who had earlier headed his side in front, thumped an attempted 86th-minute clearance straight at team-mate Nikola Milenkovic and saw it end up in the back of his own net to ensure the game ended 1-1.

Ireland’s qualification hopes, which were hanging by a thread before kick-off, look no more realistic with Group A leaders Portugal 11 points better off and Serbia nine clear with just three games to play – but for manager Stephen Kenny, there was at least a measure of respite after Saturday’s disappointing home draw with Azerbaijan.

The Republic of Ireland celebrate their equaliser (Niall Carson/PA)

His critics are unlikely to be pacified by a performance which relied heavily on the traditional Irish qualities of hard work and commitment, but the heroics of 19-year-old keeper Gavin Bazunu, who spoiled Aleksandar Mitrovic’s record of scoring in every qualifier to date with a string of fine saves, and an impressive full debut by fellow teenager Andrew Omobamidele were significant pluses.

Kenny has now taken charge of 12 competitive fixtures without a victory and the Republic have not collected three points in 16 attempts in total dating back to June 2019.

Opposite number Dragan Stojkovic signalled his intent from the moment he submitted a teamsheet which featured Mitrovic and Dusan Vlahovic in a frontline supported by Tadic and wide men Filip Kostic and Filip Djuricic.

They forced two early corners and were almost gifted the opening goal within the first five minutes by Shane Duffy’s miscontrol, although Bazunu came to his captain’s rescue by blocking Vlahovic’s attempt.

Bazunu had to field Nemanja Gudelj’s 14th-minute strike from distance after Duffy had cleared the latest of a series of high balls, but the keeper was tested further by the same man moments later after the midfielder had been allowed time and space to work his way into position.

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, right, celebrates his opener (Niall Carson/PA)

The visitors took the lead with 20 minutes gone when Milinkovic-Savic got across his marker at the near post to glance Tadic’s driven corner past Bazunu despite the keeper getting a hand to the ball.

Rajkovic was relieved to claim Jeff Hendrick’s 26th-minute free-kick with the minimum of fuss after Jamie McGrath’s progress had been halted illegally by Djuricic. Adam Idah was cautioned, perhaps harshly, for a high boot as he tried to beat defender Strahinja Pavlovic to James McClean’s teasing cross as Ireland responded.

Bazunu did well to beat away Mitrovic’s 39th-minute strike from Vlahovic’s adept lay-off and then dealt with the resulting corner, but Serbia’s movement and intricate passing game was repeatedly exposing holes in the home defence.

Having left lone striker Idah painfully unsupported for much of the first half, Ireland attempted to remedy that in the early stages of the second, although Alan Browne was unable to direct McClean’s 49th-minute cross at goal amid an encouraging start.

However, Bazunu had to repel Mitrovic’s 57th-minute effort after Tadic and Djuricic had combined delightfully and then pull off an even better stop three minutes later to deny the Fulham striker when he had connected with Kostic’s cross.

The teenager came to the rescue once again with a double save from substitute Nemanja Radonjic and another from Kostic, having needed McClean’s help after losing his bearings 13 minutes from time with the game opening up, and his heroics were rewarded at the death.

In his efforts to clear substitute Callum Robinson’s cross, Milinkovic-Savic blasted the ball at Milenkovic and looked on in horror as the ball ricocheted into his own net to spark a late onslaught which ultimately failed to produce a winner.

body check tags ::

amp_article__462686 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2021-09-07 21:45:11:
html db last update - 2021-09-07 21:45:11 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html
Share this article now:


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Recommended Next on SM
Harry Houdini: Wilson's late wizardry helps Fulham snatch victory from Brentford
Preview: Liverpool vs. B. Leverkusen - prediction, team news, lineups
Spain secure quarter-final spot in Nations League with dominant Serbia victory
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

Two European giants 'to rival' Real Madrid for Chelsea midfielder

1

TE

Preview: Red Star vs. Barcelona - prediction, team news, lineups

2

PR

'It's been very tough' - Amorim opens up on taking Man United job

3

'B

Is Haaland injured? Guardiola reveals all ahead of Sporting clash

4

IH

Hoping for the best: Chelsea star Palmer 'to undergo scan' on knee injury

5

HF

Mainoo, Maguire return dates: Man United injury, suspension news vs. PAOK

6

MM

Preview: Brugge vs. Aston Villa - prediction, team news, lineups

7

PB

Preview: Feyenoord vs. Salzburg - prediction, team news, lineups

8

PF

Preview: Besiktas vs. Malmo - prediction, team news, lineups

9

PB

"I'm not thinking about it": Tielemans comments on criticism, transfer talk

10

&N


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .