Ireland hopes suffer big blow with Serbia defeat

Aleksandar Kolarov plunged a dagger into the heart of Ireland's World Cup qualification hopes as 10-man Serbia completed a 1-0 win in Dublin.

Ireland now lie third in Group D and will probably need to win their last two games to earn a play-off, which Serbia are now guaranteed, but one more win will see them reach Russia automatically.

The truth is that things went wrong for Ireland in Georgia on Saturday, where they threw away a lead in a 1-1 draw, and they did their best to find the conviction missing that night. But there was a desperate lack of quality in their play, and they created nothing in a dull first half.

Then on 55 minutes, Serbia produced the night’s outstanding moment of class, Nemanja Matic, Dusan Tadic and Filip Kostic combining to set up Kolarov for what proved to be the decisive goal.

Minutes later, Ireland were tossed a lifeline, Nikola Maksimovic sent-off for a professional foul on Daryl Murphy.

But still they could not find the breakthrough, and though Murphy had a shot saved and ought probably to have had a penalty, an equaliser never looked likely.

Martin O'Neill's side host Moldova on October 6 before finishing their campaign on October 9 against Wales in Cardiff.

So, they must first beat Moldova and hope Georgia can take something from Wales; if not, they will have to win in Cardiff too. They have only themselves to blame.

Do Ireland need to be this bad? It is true that Ireland's players lack quality, but surely they can do better than long balls and set-pieces? They were clueless tonight, and though that is partly because Serbia are better than them, they ought still to be capable of using possession better.

Filip Kostic (Serbia) The liveliest forward in an extremely dull match, and responsible for creating the winning goal.

Ireland: Randolph 6, Christie 5, Duffy 7, Clark 6, Ward 6, Meyler 6, McClean 5, Brady 5, Hoolahan 6, Walters 5, Long 4. Subs: Murphy 6, O'Dowda 6, Hourihane 6.

Serbia: Stojkovic 7, Vukovic 6, Maksimovic 5, ivanovic 6, Rukavina 6, Milivojevic 5, Matic 6, Kolarov 6, Kostic 7, Mitrovic 5, Tadic 6. Subs: Prijovic 6, Mitrovic 6, Gudelj 6.

3’ - Rukavina finds Tadic down the right and he lays back for Matic, on the edge ... Ireland are in big trouble here. But Matic goes for certainty, side-footing hard but straight. The shot is therefore saveable, but before Randolph needs to do anything, Brady flies into a brilliant block.

33’ - Chance Serbia! Outside the box, left corner, Matic finds Tadic, and he slides a lovely pass down the side for Kostic, who squares. But, only seven yards out, Mitrovic can't get hold of his finish, allowing the ball across his body to slide it towards the far corner, and Randolph plunges to shove out before Duffy completes the clearance.

55’ - GOAL! Ireland 0-1 Serbia (Kolarov) This is a great goal, Matic wins a loose ball, finding Tadic with a header, and he squares across the face of the box for Kostic, who instantly moves it one more, for Kolarov on the left of the box. Ten yards out, he murders a sidefooter in off the bar and runs off to perform primal shouting with his mates.

68’ - Brady lumps forward, Milivojevic jumps and the ball flicks off his head, and Murphy has a yard on Maksimovic! So Maksimovic scythes in, misses the ball, gets a bit of man, AND IS SENT-OFF! IRELAND ARE PLAYING TEN MEN!

76’ - Excellent from O'Dowda, taking the ball from Brady, teasing Ivanovic, and crossing for Murphy - who can't get to it because Vukovic is all over him. No penalty says the ref, for reasons known best to himself.

86’ - At last Ireland force an opportunity, Long flicking on for Murphy, who bundles through a challenge and is presented with the ball following a ricochet. He lashes a shot, but too straight for really trouble Stojkovic, and he saves with his foot.