Republic of Ireland suffer shock loss to Belarus

The Republic of Ireland's preparations for Euro 2016 have taken a blow after a 2-1 defeat at home to Belarus.

Martin O'Neill's side had already been given the bad news before kick-off that midfielder Harry Arter was ruled out of the tournament with a thigh injury.

And the Ireland boss's mood would not have improved after seeing his side give a poor first half display, falling behind thanks to Mikhail Hardzeichuk's stunning 25-yard strike.

The home side, who made 11 changes to the side that drew with Holland 1-1 on Friday, went further behind when Aleksander Valadzko's low shot sailed past veteran Shay Given helped on by a deflection.

Ireland were better following the introduction of Shane Long and reduced their deficit when the Southampton forward teed-up Stephen Ward to score, but Belarus held on for the victory.

With or without Long, Ireland will need a massive improvement when they face Zlatan Ibrahimovic's Sweden in their opening group game of Euro 2016 on June 13th.

Did Martin O'Neill get his tactics wrong? The Ireland boss should now see a diamond formation as the way forward rather than the 4-3-3 he deployed. In contrast to the impressive display against the Netherlands, the hosts were sloppy and lacking in energy in the first period. The introduction of Shane Long injected them with pace to show a completely different side. But these games are all about experimenting and O'Neill and assistant Roy Keane will take from this a better idea of the formation and personnel which work in their last game before they announce their squad for the Euros.

James McClean (Republic of Ireland): The West Brom winger was the hosts' best player going forward with his trickery and link-up play. He was tireless in getting up and down the pitch, enhancing his reputation as a dangerous player who uses the ball well.

Republic of Ireland: Given 6, Christie 4, Keogh 5, Clark 6, Ward 5, McGeady 5, Gibson 4, Meyler 5, McClean 8, Hendrick 6, Murphy 5. Subs: Hoolahan 5, Long 5, Forde 5, O'Dowda 5, O'Kane 5 McGoldrick 4.

Belarus: Martynovich 6, Paliakov 6, Korzun 5, Stasevich 6, Hleb 5, Hardzeichuk 8, Kisliak 5, Valadzko 7, Sivakow 5, Yanush 5. Subs: Krivets 4.

20- GOAL! Ireland 0-1 Belarus: What a strike from Hardzeichuk! The visitors catch Ireland on the counter attack, the ball is played to the Borisov man who curls in a shot from 25 yards beyond the despairing dive of Given.

46' - MURPHY MISS: McGeady does a stepover and whips in a cross from the right for the unmarked Murphy who heads over the bar from eight yards out.

63' - GOAL! Ireland 0-2 Belarus: Valadzko exchanges passes, does a neat flick inside and drives the ball into the bottom right which goes in via a deflection for his first international goal.

72' - GOAL! Ireland 1-2 Belarus: Christie sends in a cross which is headed in the air, Long does well to control the ball and tee up Ward who drives the ball into the bottom right corner.

Belarus, ranked 77th in the world, scored for the first time since October 2015.