FAI - Ireland U21s go down to Serbia in five-goal thriller

Serbia 3-2 Ireland

THE Republic of Ireland U21 side were unfortunate to go down to a 3-2 defeat by Serbia in a thrilling UEFA European Championship 2017 Qualifying Round Group 2 encounter in Novi Sad yesterday.

Noel King's side shook off the concession of an early goal to give last year's U20 World Champions a serious scare thanks to second half goals from Callum O'Dowda and Cork City's Sean Maguire.

Ireland had looked lively early on with Olamide Shodipo cutting in from the left wing in the fourth minute before producing a low strike which lacked venom and is comfortably saved by keeper Vanja Milinković-Savić.

The home side took control in the 12th minute when Mijat Gačinović's flicked header from a left wing cross found Uros Djurdjević in the box and he turned to fire into bottom corner.

Djurdjević had a chance to extend that lead in the 24th minute when he got on the end of an excellent cross-field pass but he volleyed over at the back post.

Ireland soon settled with the midfield three of Josh Cullen, Harry Charsley and Jack Byrne all working tirelessly to gain possession and create opportunities.

A major chance landed for the Irish in the 36th minute when goalkeeper Milinković-Savić spilled the ball from a cross but Charsley could not connect powerfully and a defender cleared off the line.

Four minutes later good work by Byrne and O'Dowda set up a chance for Courtney Duffus but Milinković-Savić saved his strike from the edge of the box.

Serbia threatened again in the 53rd minute when good link play saw Gačinović get in a low strike that Danny Rogers got down well to save.

The home side extended their lead in the 65th minute when Darko Lazić slipped between two Irish defenders to head home from close range after connecting with a Gačinović corner.

Four minutes later Ireland were back in the game when O'Dowda headed home brilliantly from a Kevin O'Connor cross.

Unfortunately for the Irish they had little opportunity to build on that goal as they conceded a 72nd minute goal from a penalty. Djurdjević headed over the advancing Rogers and despite a defender's clearance the referee deemed that the Irish goalkeeper had fouled the striker, who converted from the spot himself. 

O'Dowda had a half-chance in the 75th minute when he beat the Serbian keeper to a through ball but he knocked the ball a little too strongly and it ran out of play.

Ireland did bring it back to 3-2 in the 81st minute when Sean Maguire headed home from close range after Jake Mulraney's cross was headed back by Darragh Lenihan. 

Despite relentless effort from the Irish they just couldn't level matters. They will finish out the campaign when they host the Serbs at the RSC in Waterford on October 7.

SERBIA: V. Milinković-Savić, Gajić, Antonov, Lazić, Veljković, A. Živković (Čavrić 60), Djurdjević (Radonjić 83), Gačinović, Grujić (Ristić 76), Lukić, S. Milinković-Savić.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Rogers, Lenihan, Rea, Hoban, O'Connor, Charsley, Cullen, Byrne (Dimaio 76), O'Dowda, Duffus (Maguire 72), Shodipo (Mulraney 66)