Coleman passed fit to captain Ireland

Lyndon Lloyd , 5 September, 21comments | Jump to most recent

Seamus Coleman recovered in time from an ankle injury to lead his country in their first qualifier for the 2018 World Cup.

The Republic of Ireland embarked on what they hope will be the road that leads to Russia in two years' time with a 2-2 draw against Serbia in Belgrade this evening.

Coleman has been named as captain in the starting XI and the match was given the go-ahead after a final pitch inspection determined that the pitch was playable despite heavy rains in the Serbian capital.

Coleman's Goodison team-mate James McCarthy wasn't be involved — he was sent back to Finch Farm last week to reportedly undergo surgery on a groin problem.

Aiden McGeady, who is playing on loan for Preston North End this season, is among the substitutes.

Meanwhile, Ashley Williams played 82 minutes of Wales's thumbing 4-0 win over Moldova.

Reader Comments (21)

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Oliver Molloy
1 Posted 05/09/2016 at 19:44:26

Pitch could be very dodgy over there tonight after lots of rain.

Coleman needs to look after himself!

Alan Humphreys
2 Posted 05/09/2016 at 19:46:56

For me, to play an international the player must have played for his club beforehand if he has had an injury.

That said, I hope Seamus captains them to victory and is fit for the bench at the weekend – Holgate doesn't deserve to be dropped on current form.

Where's McGeady?

Eugene Kearney
3 Posted 05/09/2016 at 20:22:50

Good to see him back to form. It is surely an honour for him to captain the national team too.

They are one-nil up as I type... Gwan !!

Get him back to Everton safely please!!

Steve Hartwell
4 Posted 05/09/2016 at 21:22:18

Alan @2, I totally agree. I hope he's back fighting fit but I think he now needs to fight for his place rather than be given it back as a right.

Patrick Carty
5 Posted 05/09/2016 at 22:27:56

Coleman did okay tonight, nothing else. As an Irish fan, we were under pressure for most of the night.

I think it will be a while before he take's back his place from Holgate.

Barry McNally
6 Posted 05/09/2016 at 22:48:27

Deulofeu scored again for Spain U21s.

Mick Davies
7 Posted 06/09/2016 at 00:57:53

So proud we have the Irish and Welsh captains in our team, but I'd like to see one of them as the Everton captain.

Thomas Surgenor
8 Posted 06/09/2016 at 09:30:21

Deulofeu is also captain of a strong-looking Spain Under-21s.

Clive Rogers
9 Posted 06/09/2016 at 10:41:45

Alan #2
On loan at Preston for the season.

Brian Furey
10 Posted 06/09/2016 at 11:30:46

That makes Geri their overall top goal scorer then for the U21s scoring his 16th goal last night. What position does he play for them? I just feel we're not getting the best out of the lad. I'd imagine he finds the Premier League defenders hard going and robust.

Steavey Buckley
11 Posted 06/09/2016 at 12:07:08

Playing for the lesser international teams is no sign of being the best in a country at a certain level. After Ledson played for England Under-19s in a recent tournament, he was transferred to Oxford, a League One team. Not his first choice of playing for the Everton 1st team. So Geri has taken his under 21 appearances for Spain as far they can go, because he is no longer first team choice for Everton.

Alan Humphreys
12 Posted 06/09/2016 at 12:21:42

Clive (9) I know, I meant for Ireland, or does playing for Preston diminish his diminishing skills further?

Thought they played ok, considering the poor conditions and odd refereeing. Seamus looking more like a leader than Jags.

Shane Corcoran
13 Posted 06/09/2016 at 12:32:00

The Irish performance last night was an embarrassment.

O'Neill will point to his actual achievements in beating Germany and Italy but the man is playing a style of football that's 20 years out of date.

Barry McNally
14 Posted 06/09/2016 at 13:42:57

Shane, and Germany and Italy had absolutely nothing to play for. Thankfully he never got the Everton job.

Anthony Dwyer
15 Posted 06/09/2016 at 14:03:47

Great for Seamus to be back fully fit, let's hope he's ready to be at his brilliant best! ðŸ‘Š

Tony Kost
16 Posted 06/09/2016 at 15:36:33

Obviously pleased for Seamus to be back and getting some good game time. (practice match!)

There is a lot more competition for places in the EFC back 4 now which can only be good for the team as a whole.

Mick Davies
17 Posted 06/09/2016 at 17:49:59

Shane @ 13, what do you expect with the players at his disposal? It was a draw at an away match to a very strong footballing nation and the conditions were atrocious. Maybe you think England's result, with all the talent in Allardyce's side, was far superior?

Paul Kossoff
18 Posted 06/09/2016 at 21:07:09

Does anyone think Coleman was fit for our last game but Koeman decided to keep Holgate in?

Brian Furey
19 Posted 07/09/2016 at 11:01:23

I don't think so, Paul, as Coleman was fit to play for Ireland last Friday. I think Seamus will struggle to get back into the team now anyway as I think Holgate has played his way into the team and it would be very harsh on him to drop him.

Shane Corcoran
20 Posted 07/09/2016 at 11:12:50

Mick, I never mentioned the result, I spoke about the performance.

As far as expectations are concerned, I expect a manager with Ireland's players to let them play. You know, control the ball the odd time and pass it the feet of players on their own team.

What we saw was tackle, long ball down the channel and hope the incredibly willing Shane Long can win us a throw-in and repeat.

Were you impressed with the performance Mick?

Jon Cox
21 Posted 08/09/2016 at 18:54:36

At this point in time the team's doing good.

Why mend anything unbroken.

Seamus will fight for his place, like all of them this time round, will realise.

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