"Ireland led 2-0 after 23 minutes of a scrappy semi-final and 3-2 after the first six penalties of the shootout, but the momentum could not be sustained."
"A needless penalty conceded by Ryan Manning allowed the Czech Republic back into the contest moments after a calamitous own goal by the Czech goalkeeper Matej Kovar had doubled the visitors lead."
"Caoimhin Kelleher handed the visitors the advantage when making the first save from Mojmir Chytil only for Finn Azaz and Alan Browne to fail to beat Kovar with Ireland's next two attempts."
"Just pain, we all feel pain, was Hallgrimsson's reaction. When you go this far it's a flip of a coin. Just pain we feel being that close."
The Republic of Ireland faced heartbreak in a World Cup playoff against the Czech Republic, leading 2-0 early but ultimately losing. A penalty conceded by Ryan Manning allowed the Czechs to equalize late in normal time. Despite a strong start and a penalty shootout advantage, Ireland faltered, with key misses from Finn Azaz and Alan Browne. The defeat marked Ireland's fifth loss in six World Cup playoff matches, leaving the team and coach Heimir Hallgrimsson in pain over the missed opportunity.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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