World Cup 2018 qualifying: Martin O’Neill praises Republic of Ireland comeback
The Republic of Eire “fought lower back magnificently” to snatch a 2-2 draw in their commencing Global Cup qualifier in Serbia, said manager Martin O’Neill.
Jeff Hendrick’s early aim positioned the Republic beforehand but Serbia led through Filip Kostic and Dusan Tadic earlier than Daryl Murphy’s past due equalizer.
O’Neill said his games “definitely deserved” a point in Belgrade.
“Looking forward to controlling a healthy for ninety mins far from home against Serbia? That’s lunacy,” he said.
The Republic went in the front on 3 minutes as Hendrick’s low shot deflected in off Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic.
The house facet’s dominance subsequently yielded Kostic’s equalizer on sixty-two mins before Tadic netted an arguable penalty.
The Republic struggled to preserve possession however, a late revival became rewarded via Murphy’s first worldwide purpose 10 minutes from time.
The draw left O’Neill’s guys 0.33 of their qualifying institution after the outlet spherical of furniture, behind Wales and Austria.
The Republic face the bottom teams of their next matches – hosting Georgia on 6 October, 3 days before visiting Moldova.
O’Neill stated: “I idea we thwarted them pretty well inside the first 1/2. You will expect them to have numerous possession being The house crew.
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“You knew that they had been going to come back into the game in the 2d half and that they did so.
“It’s far very, very tough. You’re gambling far from domestic towards Serbia. Those boys play in massive, massive leagues.”
O’Neill stated his players defined Serbia’s penalty as “a bit bit smooth” and delivered the idea referee Viktor Kassai was “not sure approximately his game in any respect”.
“but we roared lower back after we conceded the penalty,” he stated. “We had a purpose disallowed and Shane Long had a wonderful threat to equalize after which Murphy comes up with a fantastic, first-rate goal.”
The 33-year-old’s headed purpose got here in his 24th look for the Republic, eight days after he joined Newcastle United from Ipswich City.
“It is been a large increase for him at membership degree getting a wonderful circulate to Newcastle,” said O’Neill.
“He is suited, no matter his age, and he steamed into it and that became an excellent intention for us and a high-quality purpose for him too.”