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Ireland Player Ratings As Kenny's Side Let Opportunity Slip In Serbia

Ireland Player Ratings As Kenny's Side Let Opportunity Slip In Serbia
Gary Connaughton
By Gary Connaughton
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It all started so well.

Ireland have fallen to a 3-2 defeat against Serbia, with a poor period in the middle of the second half ultimately costing them a positive result in Belgrade.

Kenny's side got off to a brilliant start in Belgrade, with Alan Browne's goal after 18 minutes providing a badly needed end to the side's scoreless run.

However, they gave away three poor goals, something that was too much to recover from despite a late strike from James Collins.

Here's how we rated the performances on the night.

Ireland Player Ratings

Mark Travers - 5

Was beaten fairly easily for the goal, although he was put in a difficult position. He was otherwise untested in the first half.

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However, he was caught in no man's land from Mitrovic's goal when there was no need for him to come off his line. Couldn't do much for the third goal.

 

Seamus Coleman - 8

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Made a couple of key defensive interventions early on, including one to stop Serbia getting one-on-one with Travers.

He was superb at the back all game, ensuring that those around were in the correct defensive position. If not for him, you'd imagine Serbia certainly would have scored a couple more goals.

 

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Dara O'Shea - 7

Was perhaps caught napping for Serbia's first even accounting for the unlucky bounce, but O'Shea put in yet another solid display at the back.

He was the one tasked with stepping out of the defence with John Egan out injured and did it very well at times. He also made a number of key tackles in dangerous positions throughout. The West Brom will be a key man in this campaign.

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Ciaran Clark - 5

Was tasked with dealing with Tadic and did so well before allowing him to win the flick on that resulted in Serbia's opener. He was caught out a couple of times in behind late in the first half.

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Clark was beaten in the air by Mitrovic for the third goal, although stopping him in that position is no easy task. Not his best day at the office.

 

Matt Doherty - 5

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Didn't have much joy going forward in the opening period but worked hard defensively.

He continued to struggle in the second half, not really making any impact in the final third.

 

Enda Stevens - 6

Played a major part in the opening goal and showed what we have been missing out on by not playing him in his natural wingback position in the first half.

Stevens acted as Ireland's main threat in attack for much of the game, although he was moved into a more defensive position for the closing stages. His influence wained as Serbia took hold of the contest, although this was a small glimpse of what he can provide.

 

Josh Cullen - 7

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Played a pivotal role in stopping Serbia breaking at pace, halting a number of counterattacks. Cullen was also excellent on the ball, acting as the link man in the holding role.

He continued to work hard throughout as others in the midfield struggled and can be proud of his overall display.

 

Alan Browne - 7

The closest player to the front two, he produced a brilliant header to give Ireland the lead.

He was certainly an attacking outlet coming from the midfield, even if he was sloppy in possession at times. Browne tired as the game went on, understandable when you consider the amount of hard yards he put in.

 

Jayson Molumby - 6

Worked tirelessly in midfield, pressing relentlessly when out of possession. However, he didn't quite have the impact on the ball that we have seen in previous games.

That was largely down to Ireland playing mostly down the channels. Replaced in the 61st minute by Jeff Hendrick.

 

Aaron Connolly - 6

Offered a pacy outlet up front and was constantly looking to get in behind, he was very unlucky not to awarded a penalty early in the second half when it looked like he was taken by a Serbian defender.

He worked tirelessly up front, as evidenced by his issues with cramp not long after the hour mark. Replaced by Shane Long.

 

Callum Robinson - 6

Produced a stunning cross to set Browne up for the opener and ran the channels well. His final ball did let him down on a few occasions when in promising positions however, often at key stages in the game.

His overall performance was an average one.

 

Substitutes

Jeff Hendrick - 5

Failed to provide the type of legs that Molumby could in the opening hour, Hendrick had little impact after coming on.

It was noticeable how the energy levels in midfield dropped so dramatically after his introduction.

 

Shane Long - 7

Got on the ball in promising positions on a few occasions and did work hard. It was his perseverance that created Ireland's second, beautifully picking out James Collins.

 

Robbie Brady, James McClean, & James Collins - N/A

Not on long enough to rate, although Collins did show good urgency to take his goal.

 

SEE ALSO: Personality Test: Which Ireland Manager Are You?

 

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