HEARTBREAKER KOLAROV

ThE performance was better but the result was worse, and that means the Republic of Ireland now face a showdown with Wales in Cardiff next month for a shot at the World Cup play-offs. Martin O’Neill’s team have surrendered second position over the course of what could prove a ruinous four days in their quest for next summer’s finals. The manager was miffed at the criticism which followed Saturday’s 1-1 draw in Georgia and, on the eve of this game, reminded those doubters that his fourth-seeded side were over-achieving in Group D. But to have a chance of qualifying now they will, in all likelihood, have to beat Moldova and Wales. O’Neill, however, says he would have settled for that at the start of the campaign. ‘We are not beaten, far from it,’ he said. ‘We have the last two games which we must win. After that performance, I’m confident we can. I thought the players were fantastic, they gave every single ounce they had.’ O’Neill was right, their effort could not be questioned. Yet end-product could be. If the Aviva Stadium was bouncing and raucous ahead of kick-off, it was flat and subdued come the end. The only noise emanated from the 100 travelling fans, whose side are as good as qualified thanks to Aleksandar Kolarov’s blast. Ireland played the final 25 minutes or so against 10 men after Nikola Maksimovic was dismissed, but an equaliser eluded Ireland. Earlier they had been everything they weren’t in Tbilisi — energetic, aggressive and purposeful in possession — but it was Kolarov who found the breakthrough by smashing in off the crossbar on 55 minutes. O’Neill introduced Daryl Murphy in response and he had an immediate impact when he drew the foul which saw Napoli defender Maksimovic sent off. There were late claims for a home penalty when Murphy was man-handled but Ireland did not do enough to maintain their unbeaten record. REP OF IRELAND (4-1-3-2): Randolph 6.5; Christie 6, Clark 7, Duffy 7, Ward 6 (O’Dowda 72min, 6); Meyler 6.5 (Hourihane 79); Brady 6.5, Hoolahan 6.5 (Murphy 62, 6.5), McClean 7; Walters 6, Long 6. Booked: Brady, McClean. Man of the match: Filip Kostic (Serbia). Referee: Cuneyt Cakir (Turkey) 7.