Скачать или смотреть International Friendly - Serbia v Republic of Ireland - 90 Minutes (480p) (15/8/12)

Friendly International - Serbia v Republic of Ireland,
Red Star Stadium, Belgrade,
15th of August 2012

Giovanni Trapattoni's much-changed Republic of Ireland side played out an entertaining scoreless draw with Serbia in Belgrade as many of Ireland's fringe players tried to stake their claim for a starting place ahead of September's opening World Cup qualifier against Kazakhstan.

The first half had all the signs of a pre-season friendly, with both sides playing tentative football to steer clear of possible injuries. Giovanni Trapattoni tried a new 4-5-1 formation with Jon Walters as a lone striker, and the target man won a dangerous free kick on seven minutes. James McClean, on his second start for Ireland, blasted his effort into the wall as a great chance was wasted. Simon Cox was a late change for the injured Shane Long, and did well in unfamiliar territory out wide and in the middle, overlapping with Paul McShane to cause the Serbian defence a bit of trouble early on.

New Serbia manager Sinisa Mihajlovic also fielded an experimental line up; Manchester City's Aleksandar Kolarov was one of the more senior players in the team, and tested new Ireland number one Keiren Westwood with a deflected shot in the 20th minute.

Ireland had four corners in the first half, but Romanian referee Alexandru Tudor wasn't allowing the players away with much, and repeatedly penalised Walters for encroaching on the Serbia goalkeeper when balls were flighted in by James McClean. CSKA Moscow midfielder Zoran Tošić looked tricky for the Serbs, and almost got in on Westwood's goal only for Darren O'Dea to put in a great tackle. At the other end, Glenn Whelan stung Vladimir Stojković's hands with a powerful drive, but the Partizan Belgrade keeper reacted well to get to Paul McShane's rebound. The sides went in level at the break, which was a fair result with neither side gaining a real advantage.

Serbia had the first chance of the second half as Aiden McGeady bundled over Kolarov while chasing back. The Spartak Moscow winger picked up a booking for his troubles, but the free kick went high and wide. A good cross from James McClean at the other end saw Jon Walters leave the ball for Aiden McGeady, but McGeady couldn't get his foot around the ball to get it on target.

A good tackle and clever run from James McCarthy found McGeady on the right, who cut in but his shot was straight at Stojkovic as Ireland continued to impress in midfield. Trapattoni sent on Paul Green and Andy Keogh as the half went on, and a mistake from Green gave Serbia a free kick on the edge of the area. Zdravko Kuzmanović curled the ball over the wall, but a great save from Westwood denied the VfB Stuttgart midfielder his seventh international goal.

Miloš Ninković and Zoran Tošić both had efforts at Westwood's goal as the game wound down, while substitutions from both managers halted any momentum from either side. Trapattoni introduced Joey O'Brien for his first game in four years while Seamus Coleman came on with ten minutes left, but neither could change the outcome of the game.

http://www.goal.com/en-ie/match/83540...

http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/intern...