Ireland held scoreless in first half

Montenegro 0 Republic of Ireland 0

The Republic of Ireland were given a real test during a goalless first half in their World Cup qualifier against Montenegro.

Goalkeeper Shay Given had to turn away a third-minute shot from striker Mirko Vucinic and then saw defender Milan Jovanovic head the resulting corner wide as Ireland were unable to create much at the other end, although they could have been awarded an injury-time penalty for handball against defender Radoslav Batak.

The home side signalled their intentions from the off as they pinned Ireland back deep inside their own half, and created two chances within the opening three minutes.

Steven Jovetic’s through-ball put Montenegro captain Mirko Vucinic in on Shay Given, who started to come from his line and then stopped before diving low to his left to palm away the striker’s shot.

Defender Jovanovic met the resulting corner, taken by Nikola Drincic, with a downward header, but he sent the ball just wide of Given’s right post.

The Republic finally managed to force their way into enemy territory with eight minutes gone and won a free-kick in a promising position.

Stephen Hunt curled the ball in towards Kevin Kilbane, who was once again wearing a protective face mask, but the full-back’s glancing header was blocked.

With the dangerous Jovetic and Zverotic foraging behind lone frontman Vucinic, Montenegro repeatedly stretched Trapattoni’s men, but with few genuine scares as Reid in particular worked tirelessly to protect his back four.

The Blackburn midfielder had a rare chance to go for goal after 16 minutes when he and Aiden McGeady worked a short corner, although his effort sailed high over.

Drincic drilled a long-range effort well off target as the home side continued to press, although the fact that he chose to shoot from distance illustrated his team’s growing frustration.

Ireland were growing in confidence as the home crowd voiced their displeasure at a series of decisions by Estonian referee Sten Kaldma which went against Filipovic’s men.

Their annoyance increased with 26 minutes gone when McGeady, who had switched wings with Stephen Hunt, pushed the ball past defender Savo Pavicevic and was obstructed as he set off in pursuit.

However, Hunt wasted a good opportunity when the served up the free-kick on a plate for keeper Vukasin Poleksic.

Drincic went for goal from distance once again with 14 minutes of the first half remaining after Jovetic had played Zverotic into space on the right with a delightful pass.

Kilbane, making his 50th consecutive competitive appearance for his country, managed to hold him up with Reid’s help, and when he found Drincic inside, the midfielder blasted high over.

There was another anxious moment for Given two minutes later when Drincic’s near-post corner fell nicely for Milorad Pekovic, although his shot on the turn was weak and the keeper saved comfortably.

But it took a fine block by John O’Shea to deny Jovetic a minute before the break after Kilbane’s slip allowed Zverotic to pick him out inside the box.

However, Ireland were desperately unfortunate not to be awarded an injury-time penalty when Radoslav Batak clearly handed Hunt’s cross, although not in Mr Kaldma’s opinion.

Montenegro: Poleksic, Pavicevic, Batak, Tanasijevic, Jovanovic, Drincic, Pekovic, Zverotic, Jovetic, Vladimir Bozovic, Vucinic.

Subs: Mladen Bozovic, Pejovic, Burzanovic, Jeknic, Novakovic, Djalovic, Vukcevic.

Rep of Ireland: Given, Finnan, O’Shea, Dunne, Kilbane, McGeady, Whelan, Steven Reid, Hunt, Doyle, Keane.

Subs: Kiely, Andy Reid, Miller, McShane, Delaney, Keogh, Murphy.

Referee: Sten Kaldma (Estonia)