Despite Ireland’s massively disappointing performance in Georgia, qualifying for next summer’s World Cup is still within reach.
Kick-off: September 5, 19:45 BST; Venue: Aviva Stadium; Referee: Cuneyt Cakir
Serbia beat Moldova 3-0, which sees them sit two points clear at the top of Group D until Tuesday at least. On the same night, Wales managed to beat Austria at home and while that does rule Austria out of qualifying, it means Chris Coleman’s men are breathing down Ireland’s neck.
That puts pressure on Martin O’Neill, whose tactics came under criticism after Ireland threw away an early goal lead in Tbilisi. Ireland now need to go out and beat a technically superior Serbia side, then dispatch Moldova in an upcoming fixture before travelling to Cardiff for the final game of Group D. Three wins from the next three games will see Ireland secure a place in the 2018 World Cup.
If the Irish can’t beat Serbia but manage a draw instead, then they will begin to worry that not every second placed side will be guaranteed a playoff place.
Tuesday night’s encounter between Ireland and Serbia will go a long way to determining who books their place in Russia next summer, while both nations hope Georgia force another Welsh upset.
Perhaps a worry for Ireland, before Tuesday night’s contest kicks off, is how it will be officiated by a referee they’ve yet to win a game while he’s been in charge. Turkey’s Cuneyt Cakir has previously sent off Keith Andrews, John O’Shea and did not award Ireland a blatant penalty against Belgium at Euro 2016.
In fact, Ireland have lost all three games Cakir has been in charge of, with the other two being their Euro 2012 loss to Italy and the 2015 qualifier defeat to Poland.
Excuses aside, if Ireland perform the way they did against Georgia, Serbia will knock up a cricket scoreline. O’Neill does like having his tactics questioned, which, depending on who you ask, is fine given he’s a manager with two European Cups on his CV. Others will argue the way he set his team up last Friday was inexcusable and arguably cost Ireland a place at the World Cup.
It won’t help that Jeff Hendrick will miss the game after failing to recover from a thigh injury. O’Neill confirmed on Monday morning that the 25-year-old would remain out for the content in Dublin against the Group D leaders.
“He is still feeling it (the injury). He’ll miss out,” said O’Neill.
Hendrick was tipped to replace Aston Villa midfielder Glenn Whelan but that option is not now available to O’Neill.
The Republic’s inability to keep possession against Georgia has increased the clamour from some — most notably, RTÉ pundit Eamon Dunphy — for the inclusion of Wes Hoolahan.
Hendrick’s absence could now open the door to Hoolahan, with Harry Arter playing in the anchor midfield role, although it is worth noting that O’Neill opted against using the Norwich City veteran as a substitute in Tbilisi.
Serbia, on the other hand, possess key players to keep an eye on. Mijat Gacinovic was the pick of the bunch last season, scoring his second goal in as many internationals, yet Roma’s Aleksandar Kolarov and Newcastle’s Aleksandar Mitrovic were also on target.
Their coach, Salvoljub Muslin, withdrew Manchester United’s Nemanja Matic and Southampton’s Dusan Tadic well before the end with a view to keeping them fresh for Tuesday night.
Ireland require a phenomenal effort to grind out a win. If O’Neill’s men give the Serbs the same amount of space they gave Georgia, particularly in the first half, the Irish stand no chance. The Boys in Green need to be at their best.
Prediction: Ireland 1-2 Serbia
