Republic of Eire head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson says his aspect really feel “simply ache” after their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification bid ended with a defeat away to Czechia that was “not a great soccer match”.
Matej Kovar denied Finn Azaz and Alan Browne in a shootout because the hosts, who had recovered from two targets behind to attract 2-2 after further time on the Fortuna Area, superior to a one-legged play-off last away to Denmark.
“It’s nearly inconceivable,” mentioned Heimir Hallgrimsson, who was appointed in July 2024, chatting with RTE Sport about his phrases to Azaz and Browne.
“You attempt to discuss to them, encourage them. However it’s simply ache. All of us really feel simply ache now. It takes time.”
Evaluation: Czechia vs Eire ‘by no means underneath management’
Troy Parrott’s Nineteenth-minute penalty and Kovar’s personal objective put Eire 2-0 forward after 23 minutes, however Patrik Schick replied with a penalty within the twenty seventh minute when Ryan Manning was adjudged to have fouled Ladislav Krejci.
After Jayson Molumby shot in opposition to a submit for the guests in the course of the second half, Krejci then headed the equaliser 4 minutes from time.
“There have been a number of feelings within the recreation,” mirrored Hallgrimsson. “Neither staff received a grip on it.
“The match was by no means underneath management, both for us or them. It was lengthy balls, crosses, set-pieces, duels. That’s how the sport was determined, in these moments.
“We talked about attempting to take management of recreation, to play extra on the bottom. I believed we have been having management when that penalty got here.
“We felt good and it at all times impacts you psychologically whenever you concede so shortly after. Once you go this far, it’s as much as luck or a flip of a coin.”
Why Eire followers are ‘magical’
Hallgrimsson and Parrott praised the travelling followers. “It’s simply unbelievable, the individuals we’ve got supporting us,” mentioned the Icelander.
“Simply to really feel the love on the finish of the sport despite the fact that we misplaced was, for me, magical, seeing it as a foreigner.
“I simply need to give because of all of those that that travelled right here and supported us, not solely now however all through the entire journey. I don’t need to overlook that as a result of this was particular for me to see.
“This staff we performed right now… [are] actually good taking part in right here, increased than us within the FIFA rankings and we’re taking part in away.
“We could be happy with the gamers we’ve got and we simply must proceed constructing on.”
Parrott advised Eire’s followers to “persist with us”. “We felt the help all week,” mentioned the prolific AZ striker.
“We knew how a lot it meant to everybody. I’m simply actually, actually gutted that we couldn’t do it for everybody who was supporting us.
“It’s occasions like this once I’m so, so comfortable the place I come from. We simply mentioned within the altering room that now’s the time to stay collectively as a gaggle as a result of we’ve got some actually good gamers.
“It actually takes a number of nerve to step up there and take a [penalty], so there’ll be no blame from me or my team-mates.
“I respect them much more for stepping up in that scenario and taking a penalty. They didn’t must – they may have mentioned no, they may have mentioned they didn’t need to.
“I’m happy with the staff that I’m part of and I’m happy with each Irish person who supported us as nicely.”
Parrott, Krejci, Adam Idah, Tomas Soucek and Robbie Brady all transformed within the shootout earlier than Brentford goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher saved from Mojmir Chytil to place Ireland in entrance, just for Kovar’s saves and profitable makes an attempt by Schick and Jan Kliment to ship Czechia by way of.
Czechia staff vs Eire
Czechia beginning XI: Matej Kovar, Vladimir Coufal, Tomas Holes, Robin Hranac, Ladislav Krejci, David Jurasek, Vladimir Darida, Tomas Chory, Lukas Provod, Pavel Sulc, Patrik Schick
Czechia substitutes: Lukas Hornicek, Martin Jedlicka, Stepan Chaloupek, Martin Vitik, Adam Karabec, Jan Kliment, Lukas Cerv, Mojmir Chytil, Michal Sadilek, Jaroslav Zeleny, Denis Visinsky, Tomas Soucek
Eire staff vs Czechia
Eire beginning XI: Caoimhin Kelleher, Seamus Coleman, Ryan Manning, Dara O’Shea, Jake O’Brien, Jayson Molumby, Troy Parrott, Finn Azaz, Jack Taylor, Chiedozie Ogbene, Nathan Collins
Eire substitutes: Mark Travers, Josh Keeley, John Egan, Jimmy Dunne, Robbie Brady, James Abankwah, Jason Knight, Alan Browne, Harvey Vale, Adam Idah, Johnny Kenny, Sammie Szmodics
When does the 2026 FIFA World Cup begin?
The World Cup begins with a gathering between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico Metropolis on June 11 (20:00 BST).
