'With Aaron Connolly, that's a penalty' - Stephen Kenny furious over crucial second half decision

Stefan Mitrović challenges Aaron Connolly in an incident Stephen Kenny felt should have been a penalty

Aidan Fitzmaurice

March 25 2021 03:00 AM

A "hurt" Ireland manager Stephen Kenny believes that his side's fate in their World Cup defeat to Serbia in Belgrade turned on a refereeing decision not to award a second-half penalty to Aaron Connolly.

And as his three-man defence was criticised by TV analysts such as former international Damien Delaney for their role in the 3-2 loss, Kenny admits his team need to be "tactically flexible" as they now regroup for Saturday's test at home to Luxembourg, the former Dundalk boss still looking to end a run of nine games without a win under his reign.

A renewed focus comes on Kenny and his side as a win at home to Luxembourg behind closed doors in Dublin on Saturday is a must with group favourites Portugal opening their campaign with a 1-0 win over Azerbaijan. After Alan Browne's first-half goal, the first scored in eight games by Ireland, Serbia took a 3-1 lead, as a late goal by James Collins was only a consolation.

"We're disappointed to lose the game really, it hurts. Serbia are a very good team with very good attacking players but we feel disappointed to lose," Kenny said

"On the night, it was quite an evenly balanced game overall. Before we conceded the second goal, we had quite a few attacks and Matt Doherty overlapped, Aaron Connolly was fouled, we had quite a bit of positive play."

Asked if Ireland were simply beaten by a better team, Kenny answered: "Serbia are an excellent team, I'm not trying to say they're not. Are we asking are they better for us? On the night there wasn't much in the game and obviously the second goal was crucial overall and that was it.

Was that a foul on Aaron Connolly?

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"We weren't really under threat apart from set plays. Every player was giving away a few inches on set plays. We conceded a goal, it was really their first chance and we were disappointed with that one," added Kenny, hitting out at the absence of VAR which could have given a penalty to forward Connolly after he was fouled in the box, with the game poised at 1-1.

"With Aaron Connolly, that's a penalty to go to 2-1 up, and we're not losing the game at 2-1 up in the second half, that's for sure. We're not saying we would have won it but I don't see us losing it. That's a very pivotal moment in the goal. The concession of the second goal is a very disappointing goal, we know that," added Kenny, who offered his support to keeper Mark Travers, caught off his line on his competitive debut for the second Serbian goal which Aleksandar Mitrovic scored from distance.

"Mark is an excellent young goalkeeper, a really good goalkeeper, he hasn't been playing recently at Bournemouth but he has a great future ahead of him. He couldn't have done anything about the first and third goals. Overall, I think Mark has a really great future ahead of him," Kenny added.