The dramatic defeat of the national team of Ireland against the Czech Republic in the playoff finals for the World Cup was not just a waste of a ticket to the tournament, but, most importantly, a difficult ending.
Irish head coach Geimir Gallgrimsson paid special tribute to Everton's 37-man defender, who won a remarkable 96 goals on the pitch at Prasia. The history of the hundred-year-old coach and captain in this selection cycle was not easy.
Hallgrimsson did not include Coleman in the first two qualifying matches. Prote veteran, regardless of the marriage of playing practice in the club, having seen his necessity: he turned around and became a key figure in the important victories over Portugal and Ugorshchina.
The coach publicly recognized that the historian proved him wrong. After a painful defeat to the Czechs, the mentor did not show emotion, speaking about his captain:.
" Playing in the world championship and holding the playoff final at our Aviva stadium would be very special. Obviously, this team has given everything in its life, so I feel great respect for this one, as well as for everyone else,” the gravel said.
The footballer himself, aware of the fact that this was his only chance to take Ireland to the World Cup (since 2002), was inspired to work hard and announced his future with hot footsteps..
" Talk to yourself now, if the nation, the patients and the people left the tournament the way we did. It would be selfish, and it wouldn’t be the same as what I’m going to get right away,” the hisnik said modestly.
The match at Praza turned out perfectly for the Irish: they led 2:0 thanks to a penalty from Troy Parrot and an own goal from Matej Kovar. The Hospodars staged a comeback (2:2), and in the penalty shootout the Czech Republic snatched a 4:3 victory after misses by Finn Azaz and Alan Brown.
With the hopes of veterans and patients shattered, the 58-year-old Gallgrimsson, who has renewed his contract until 2028, will look forward to Mayday with optimism. Having said that the team has summarized the key components: The distance covered, the number of sprints and the number of goals scored (xG) have increased.
Over the past 16 years, Ireland has won matches in which they were eliminated - such a show of will has not been lost in the rest of the 16 years. The Irish will play their next match this Tuesday - they are looking at a home friendly match against Northern Macedonia in Dublin.