MX23RW : Monday, November 25 18:05:28| >> :600:270227:270227:
[monks data]
Republic of Ireland national football team
International Friendlies
Mar 5, 2014 at 7.45pm UK
 
Serbia national football team

1-2

Long (8')
FT(HT: 1-0)
McCarthy (48' og.), Djordjevic (60')

Half-Time Report: Republic of Ireland ahead against Serbia

Shane Long's early goal separates the Republic of Ireland from Serbia at half time in Dublin.

The Republic of Ireland are 1-0 up against Serbia at half time in their friendly international at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

Shane Long of Ireland celebrates scoring a goal during the International Friendly match between Republic of Ireland and Latvia at Aviva Stadium on November 15, 2013© Getty Images

The hosts put the ball in the net as early as the second minute when Aiden McGeady volleyed home Glenn Whelan's left-wing cross, but it was chalked off because Wesley Hoolahan appeared to have got a touch on the ball when he was in an offside position.

However, six minutes later Shane Long made it 1-0 to Ireland by intercepting a Branislav Ivanovic back-pass and firing in with ease.

Serbia could have equalised minutes later had David Forde not been able to keep out Milan Bisevac's header from an Aleksandar Kolarov corner.

The visitors had another good opportunity to restore parity through Lazar Markovic, before James McClean cleared Ivanovic's header off the line.

Long could have punished Serbia for failing to take their chances when he found himself in a good position on the half-hour mark, but his shot was comfortably saved by Vladimir Stojkovic.

ID:142688: cacheID:142688:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3495:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Serbia players celebrate their first goal during the international friendly football match between the Republic of Ireland and Serbia at Aviva Stadium in Dublin on March 5, 2014
Read Next:
Live Commentary: Ireland 1-2 Serbia - as it happened
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!