Serbia and the Republic of Ireland shared the spoils in their opening 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying match, as they played out a breathless 2-2 draw at a drenched Rajko Mitic Stadium on Monday.
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But O’Neill said the point didn’t feel like a victory for his side, and queried a few of the decisions made by the referee in what were hard weather circumstances in the stadium.
It was header from substitute Daryl Murphy ten minutes from time that saw the side snatch a point, and O’Neill thought his side deserved to take something from the trip. You are playing away from home against Serbia.
“It is very, very hard”.
The Ulsterman has been linked with the vacant manager’s role at Hull City in recent weeks, but despite the rumours he insists he is happy with the national team and that he will be staying with them for the foreseeable future.
Everton had the honour of producing two global captains on one night as Ashley Williams of Wales and the Republic of Ireland’s Seamus Coleman both skippered their countries in World Cup qualifiers with the Blues pair both securing positive results.
Serbia: P Rajkovic; Ivanovic, Nastasic, Vukovic; Rukavina, Gudelj, Milivojevic, Mladenovic; Tadic, A Mitrovic, Kostic.
Booked: Stephen Ward (21), Jeff Hendrick (28), Robbie Brady (60), Glenn Whelan (88). Subs. Quinn 7, Murphy 8, Clark N/A.
Robbie Keane grabbed the headlines on Wednesday as the 36-year-old striker marked his final global appearance with a goal in Republic of Ireland’s 4-0 win over Oman in Dublin. That may have deflected off Branislav Ivanovic, but if not, that is Hendrick’s first goal in his 27th appearance. Minutes later Kostic again found space and this time angled a shot low towards the corner, however, Randolph did well to stretch and push the ball around the post. Delighted with the fact that we created chances as well.
O’Shea got completely outfoxed by Tadic in the box and, with Irish skipper Seamus Coleman having drifted off marking Kostic, the 23-year-old Hamburg midfielder made no mistake from close range.
The final whistle blew minutes later to confirm the massive yet fortunate point for the Republic of Ireland.
Kostic was at the centre of the 68th-minute penalty award as he burst into the area and went down as if he’d been clipped by Jon Walters. Coleman denied the Serbs a victor by making a last-ditch clearance off the line.
The draw with Ireland means Serbia have only lost one home World Cup qualifier in their last 11 matches.
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The hallmark of the previous campaign was a resolute defence and in that respect there was little change in Prague, with Jonny Evans again outstanding at the heart of a back four featuring two League One full-backs.
