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Kenny bemoans absence of VAR after Connolly penalty call

Updated / Thursday, 25 Mar 2021 00:21
Stephen Kenny: 'I think the players were terrific
Stephen Kenny: 'I think the players were terrific

Stephen Kenny bemoaned the absence of VAR after Ireland were denied a penalty in their 3-2 loss to Serbia.

Aaron Connolly was tackled by Stefan Mitrović in the box with the score at 1-1 in the 52nd minute but referee Davide Massa, while well-positioned, waved play on.

The Ireland boss told RTÉ Sport: "Aaron Connolly, it looks like a cast-iron penalty from where I am anyway to make it 2-1 [if penalty scored].

"The player has gone through him to win the ball. It's an easy option to give the corner rather than give a penalty.

"How can there not be VAR if there is for some matches and not others? I don’t understand how it can be for some matches and not others." 

The Boys in Green had gone over 600 minutes without scoring a goal but Alan Browne and James Collins' strikes in either half almost secured what would have been a well-earned point in Serbia in their opening World Cup qualifier.

"You don't get anything for that [performance] unfortunately," added Kenny.

"I think the players were terrific. Normally when you concede three goals it’s the result of conceding six or seven or eight chances. They’ve scored with their first chance, they’ve been ruthless in their finishing.

"We’re really disappointed to lose that game.

"We’re disappointed with the second goal that we conceded.

"Overall, I can't believe that we conceded three goals because it didn’t look like the type of match that we would concede three goals.

"They had a period in the first half when they pushed us back, tactically, Tadic came right into midfield, both their number 10s dropped into midfield and overloaded up a little bit, but they didn’t penetrate, we were comfortable defensively.

"Seamus Coleman marshalled his defence brilliantly. It was a great first goal from Alan Browne, great cross from Callum Robinson and a good header.

"3-1 down was a kick in the teeth, you're wondering how are you 3-1 down.

"We worked well and we got a goal back and we rallied. All the substitutes made an impact and we felt we were getting going at the end, but we just come out thee wrongs side of a narrow defeat." 

Aleksandar Mitrovic scored twice for the hosts, his first an exquisite chip over stand-in goalkeeper Mark Travers, who was caught out of position.

"Mark’s been brilliant for us overall," said Kenny, who is yet to register a win in charge.

"He’s made a good save at the end of the first half as well."

Ireland’s next Group A game is on Saturday against Luxembourg in Dublin.

Asked if he would employ the same system (3-5-2 in possession, 5-3-2 without the ball) the manager said: "We have to be flexible, we can’t tie ourselves to one system. I think that’s important."

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