REPORTS VARYRepublic of Ireland lose on penalties to Czechs in dramatic playoff semi-final exit
The World Cup dream ended for Heimir Hallgrimsson's side as the Irish women suffered a heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat against their hosts, the Czechia national team (Czech Republic), on Thursday evening March in Prague during an epic playoff semi-final encounter that saw Ireland blow two-goal lead before conceding late pressure.
Key Points
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1The Republic of Ireland lost their first-ever FIFA Women's World Cup qualification playoff to the Czech Republic after a dramatic penalty shootout.
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2Ireland had taken an early lead in normal time but squandered it, drawing level before conceding two additional goals and losing on penalties 4-3 (2 pens each).
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3Czech goalkeeper Matej Kovar was named hero for saving both of Ireland's subsequent penalty kicks to secure the tie.
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4The Czech Republic advances from Prague as hosts in their next World Cup qualification playoff final against Denmark, aiming for a berth since 2006.
Developments
Goalkeeper Matej Kovar saved two penalties to help the Czech Republic defeat Ireland in extra time and win their 2018 World Cup qualifying playoff. The match ended with a shootout victory for Prague after Croatia pulled one back late, setting up an upcoming final against Denmark on March 31st (Note: Text mentions "Czech box" but context implies play-off between Czech Republic vs Ireland).
The Czech Republic defeated host nation Ireland 4-3 on penalties after a dramatic World Cup semi-final draw of two goals each ended extra time following an early Irish lead and late equalizer by Ladislav Krejci, with Jan Kliment scoring the decisive spot-kick.
The Republic of Ireland lost their play-off semi-final to Czechia by default in extra time and subsequently surrendered 4-3 penalties, ending hopes for an eighth consecutive appearance. Despite taking early control with two goals from Troy Parrott within minutes, the Irish squad failed to convert on penalty kicks while Kovar saved all three attempts against them before Schick's spot-kicker secured victory at a decisive moment in extra time and then again later that day
Ireland's World Cup playoff hopes were eliminated by a 3-2 penalty shootout defeat to Czech Republic, ending their first qualification attempt since 1986. Although Ireland took an early lead through goals from Troy Parrott and Matej Kovar but conceded two penalties in the final period including one each for Ryan Manning (normal time) and Ladislav Krejcí's equalizer sent them into extra-time where they lost on a fifth spot-kick by Jan Kliment, who converted to send Czechs home.