The Republic of Ireland begin their World Cup 2018 qualification campaign tonight with a tricky tie against Serbia in Belgrade.
Martin O’Neill’s side are still on a high from an impressive Euro 2016 campaign, but know that they will face a battle tonight against a Serbian side looking to make up for their dismal European Championship qualifying attempt.
For tonight’s game, O’Neill is forced into making a few changes from the side which fared so well in the latter part of the Euro 2016 campaign.
BREAKING: The Ireland side to face Serbia has been announced with Seamus Coleman captaining the team. #COYBIG pic.twitter.com/f1OHWAh0gH
— FAIreland (@FAIreland) September 5, 2016
James McCarthy misses the tie through injury, while Brighton defender Shane Duffy is suspended. Seamus Coleman (tonight’s captain) and John O’Shea both returned to training at the weekend and both start tonight.
Glenn Whelan and Jonathan Walters also return to the competitive starting lineup.
In other news, Robbie Keane’s now vacated number ten shirt has been handed to Robbie Brady, who became a goalscoring hero in his own right with the winner against Italy in Ireland’s final Euro 2016 group stage match to send them into the last 16.
And Ireland’s new number 10 is…. #COYBIG pic.twitter.com/qbxd84lj8I
— FAIre (@FAIreland) September 5, 2016
He also scored the first-minute penalty to give O’Neill’s side the lead in the second round defeat to France, and an impressive free kick in last week’s 4-0 win at home to Oman.
For the home side, the loss of Nemanja Matic and Aleksandar Kolarov is a significant blow, but new Serbia manager Slavoljub Muslin still has a number of talented players to call upon.
Serbia Starting 11:
Rajkovic (GK), Rukavina, Gudelj, Nastasic, Ivanovic (c), Mitrovic, Tadic, Mladenovic, Milivojevic, Kostic, Vukovic.
— FAIreland (@FAIreland) September 5, 2016
Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic starts in defence, with Dusan Tadic of Southampton in midfield and Newcastle’s Aleksandar Mitrovic in attack.
Liverpool’s Lazar Markovic and Zoran Tosic, formerly of Manchester United, are on the bench.
Referee: Viktor Kassai (Hungary)
Recent Form:
Serbia: L W W W D
Ireland: D L W L W
Last Meeting: Ireland 1 (Long) – Serbia 2 (McCarthy OG, Djordjevic), 5th March 2014
Selected Match Odds: Serbia 23/20 Draw 21/10 Ireland 11/4
Read More About: aleksandar kolarov, darren randolph, Daryl Murphy, Ireland, james mccarthy, james mcclean, jeff hendrick, john o'shea, Jon Walters, Martin O'Neill, nemanja matic, Republic of Ireland, Richard Keogh, robbie brady, robbie keane, Seamus Coleman, Serbia, shane duffy, shane long, world cup 2018
