Ireland 1-3 Serbia
The Republic of Ireland’s Under-21s conceded three goals in the final 25 minutes on the way to a 3-1 defeat to Serbia at the RSC in Waterford on Friday night.
Noel King's side took the lead early in the second half through Everton striker Courtney Duffus.
But Serbia - World Under-20 Champions last year - produced a dramatic fight-back to claim the three points in what was the final game of Ireland's qualifying campaign.
Ireland were already well out of the running for European Championship qualification and this marked the sixth defeat of their campaign.
Despite Serbia being the better team in the opening exchanges, the home side had a big chance to break the deadlock after 40 minutes, though Alan Browne’s header lacked the power to really test keeper Vanja Milinković-Savić.
Uroš Djurdjević produced a moment of magic just before half-time to flick the ball up over an Irish defender and volley goal-wards but keeper Liam Bossin reacted well to push the ball wide.
Ireland went ahead after 48 minutes minutes when Courtney Duffus broke between the two Serbian centre-backs and produced a neat left footed finish past Milinković-Savić for an excellent goal.
After some strong defending, it was disappointing for the Irish to then concede on 63 minutes. Andrija Živković produced a clever chip over the home defence and Nemanja Mihajlović raced through to fire past the advancing keeper.
Three minutes later the visitors showed their class when they took the lead. Bossin made a brilliant stop to keep out a Uroš Djurdjević header but Mijat Gačinović reacted first to turn the loose ball home.
Irish substitute Sean Maguire had a half-chance in the 80th minute but pulled his effort across the face of the Serbian goal under pressure from a defender.
Irish efforts to equalise saw them vulnerable on the counter-attack and two minutes from time minute Sasa Lukić finished off a break led by Mihajlović to kill off the tie.
Republic of Ireland: Liam Bossin, Eoghan O'Connell, Kevin O'Connor, Darragh Lenihan, Thomas Hoban, Alan Browne, Harry Charsley, Josh Cullen, Courtney Duffus (Seán Maguire 71), Jack Byrne (Jake Mulraney 71), Olamide Shodipo (Sean Kavanagh 79).
Serbia: Vanja Milinković-Savić, Milan Gajić, Darko Lazić, Miloš Veljković, Uroš Djurdjević (Ognjen Ožegović 78), Mijat Gačinović, Aleksandar Čavrić (Nemanja Mihajlović 59), Marko Grujić, Andrija Živković, Saša Lukić (Vukašin Jovanović 89), Mihailo Ristić
