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Mitro scores as race for Russia hots up
Written by Rory Mitchinson
Aleksandar Mitrović was on target again as Serbia strengthened their position at the top of UEFA’s Group D in the race to qualify for next year’s FIFA World Cup in Russia.
The 22-year-old put the icing on the cake for the Orlovi against Moldova on Saturday, netting the final goal in a comfortable 3-0 victory.
Mitrović has struck six times since the current qualification campaign got underway, with Slavoljub Muslin’s side well-placed to make it to a first major tournament since the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
They will take another major step with victory against the Republic of Ireland tomorrow night, where Mitrović will come up against fellow Magpie Ciaran Clark.
Clark played 90 minutes for the Republic against Georgia on Saturday, where Martin O’Neill’s charges were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw. Rob Elliot was on the bench for the Boys in Green, who now trail the Serbians by two points.
In Group F – where England currently lead the way – Matt Ritchie came on as a second-half substitute as Scotland won 3-0 in Lithuania to keep their hopes of a play-off place alive.
He played a part in their third, taking a quick throw from the right to lay the foundations for James McArthur’s 72nd-minute strike.
In Africa, it was a disappointing weekend for United’s contingent.
Needing a win to stay in touch with Uganda and Egypt, a Ghana side featuring wide-man Christian Atsu were held to a 1-1 draw by Congo in Kumasi.
Atsu was the architect of the Black Stars’ late leveller, playing a neat through pass to Thomas Partey, who slotted home with 86 minutes on the clock.
Ghana do battle with Congo again tomorrow, where anything less than victory will all but end their hopes of qualifying for a fourth consecutive World Cup.
A crucial evening also lies in wait in Kinshasa, where Chancel Mbemba’s Democratic Republic of Congo meet Tunisia for the second time in a week.
Mbemba played as the Leopards suffered a 2-1 defeat in Radès on Friday, where they slipped three points off the pace in CAF’s Group A.
Another win for Tunisia will put the Carthage Eagles within touching distance of a first global finals since 2006, and will all but end the United defender’s chances of travelling to Russia in nine months’ time.
Elsewhere, Mikel Merino scored one and set up another as Spain’s Under-21s saw off Italy in a friendly in Toledo.
And another youngster, forward Tyrique Bartlett, was handed a start as South Africa’s Under-20 side lost 4-0 to Brazil in a practice game at St. George’s Park last Wednesday.