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Serbia
Montenegro 2-1 Republic of Ireland
Marston's, Hinckley, Leicestershire.
In what was essentially a game of two halves, Ireland were the better team
in the 1st and in the second ,Serbia retained more possession and managed
to score twice on what probably was the only two times that they broke in
the Irish penalty area.
Ireland
Scores
Ireland took the lead when a curling free kick taken by Keith Tracey dropped
for the potent foot of Arsenal's Anthony Stokes who smacked it into the top
left hand corner of the goal.
Serbia
Equalize
About 10 minutes into the second half the Serbians broke down the
left and crossed, the ball eluded the Irish defence and the Serbian forward
placed the ball past Stephen Henderson in the Irish goal.
Bayly
Sees Red
In what was the defining moment of the second half Robert Bayly was
shown a straight red card for a very late challenge on the Serbia winger in
his own half with no apparent danger to the Irish goal.
Serbians
Score Winner
Not long after the sending off, the Serbians surged forward and scored
the winner on the back of a defensive error in the Irish back four.
Serbians
Out
However, with England winning 3-1 against against Northern Ireland today,
this means that even if Serbia beat Northern Ireland and we beat England on
Wednesday, in Walsall, the Serbs will be pipped by either Ireland or England
to a place in the Italian-hosted finals in a three-way head-to-head record
tie-breaker.
Ireland Require A Win
Ireland must beat England, the hosts for this mini tournament to qualify.
If the Serbs lose to Northern Ireland and the Irish win, then we qualify in
the head to head rule.. If the Serbians beat Northern Ireland, Ireland need
a victory by a two goal margin to secure qualification.
Team |
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
Pts |
England |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
2 |
6 |
Republic of Ireland |
2 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
Serbia & Montenegro |
2 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
4 |
3 |
Northern Ireland |
2 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
5 |
0 |
Remaining
Fixtures
30/03/2005
England v Republic of Ireland - Walsall 19:30
Serbia & Montenegro v Northern Ireland - Kidderminster 19.30