‘Not possible’ to speak to Azaz and Browne after 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier, says Hallgrimsson
Republic of Eire head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson says his facet really feel “simply ache” after their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification bid ended with a defeat away to Czechia that was “not a very good soccer match”.
Matej Kovar denied Finn Azaz and Alan Browne in a shootout because the hosts, who had recovered from two objectives behind to attract 2-2 after further time on the Fortuna Enviornment, superior to a one-legged play-off ultimate away to Denmark.
“It’s virtually inconceivable,” mentioned Heimir Hallgrimsson, who was appointed in July 2024, talking to 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 beneath 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 through the second half, Krejci then headed the equaliser 4 minutes from time.
“There have been a whole lot of feelings within the recreation,” mirrored Hallgrimsson. “Neither workforce bought a grip on it.
“The match was by no means beneath 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 making an attempt to take management of recreation, to play extra on the bottom. I believed we had been having management when that penalty got here.
“We felt good and it all the time impacts you psychologically if you concede so rapidly after. While 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 now we have supporting us,” mentioned the Icelander.
“Simply to really feel the love on the finish of the sport although we misplaced was, for me, magical, seeing it as a foreigner.
“I simply wish to give due to all of those that that travelled right here and supported us, not solely now however all through the entire journey. I don’t wish to overlook that as a result of this was particular for me to see.
“This workforce 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 may be pleased with the gamers now we have and we simply have to proceed constructing on.”
Parrott instructed Eire’s followers to “follow 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 instances like this once I’m so, so blissful the place I come from. We simply mentioned within the altering room that now’s the time to stay collectively as a bunch as a result of now we have some actually good gamers.
“It actually takes a whole lot 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 need to – they may have mentioned no, they may have mentioned they didn’t wish to.
“I’m pleased with the workforce that I’m part of and I’m pleased with each Irish individual that supported us as properly.”
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 Eire in entrance, just for Kovar’s saves and profitable makes an attempt by Schick and Jan Kliment to ship Czechia by means of.
Czechia workforce 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 workforce 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).
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