World Cup playoff semi-final
Czech Republic 2 (Schick 27, Krejci 86) Republic of Ireland 2 (Parrott 19, Kovar OG 23) (AET) (Ireland lose 4-3 on penalties)
Czech Republic: Kovar; Holes (Chaloupek 45), Krejci (capt), Hranac; Coufal (Karabec 83), Darida (Soucek 45), Provod, Sulc (Kliment 103), Jurasek (Sadilek 82); Chory (Chytil 74), Schick.
Ireland: Kelleher; Coleman (Dunne 96), O’Brien, Collins (capt), O’Shea, Manning (Brady 68); Taylor (Browne 68), Molumby (Szmodics 115) (Vale 120); Ogbene (Idah 96), Azaz, Parrott.
'It's really hard to take': Ireland's penalty heartbreak after early dominance
A gutting night for Ireland fans. That’s all from me, good night!
Troy Parrott on RTÉ: "There will be no blame for me to the players to miss the penalties. I’m proud of the team that I’m a part of it, and every person that supported us as well. I’m just really gutted we couldn’t do it for everyone. Thank you, stick with us, it’s times like this I’m so happy where I come from.
“It’s really hard to talk about me scoring a penalty, now is the time to stick together as a group, we will be back for sure.”
Here’s Malachy Clerkin’s piece on a gutting night:
Here is Mary Hannigan’s TV View:
[ Ireland hearts are crushed after World Cup playoff - truly, sport is rubbishOpens in new window ]
Séamus Coleman on RTÉ: “It would have been great to get to America and get back to the World Cup, just disappointing not to get back to it and have done more for the lads. In November, there was a lot of hope, we’ve felt the love and support. We wanted to give more back but it wasn’t to be.”
Here are the Ireland player ratings from Gordon Manning:
[ Ireland player ratings: Dara O’Shea and Nathan Collins lead from the backOpens in new window ]
Here is the match report from Gavin Cummiskey:
Heimir Hallgrímsson on RTÉ: “I feel pain, of course, when you go this far it’s up to luck or a flip of a coin. Being that close. We chose our penalty takers beforehand, we had planned for this. Szmodics was knocked out cold, but he’s conscious now.
“We were up 2-0, it was never a good football match, it was long balls, crosses, set-pieces, we talked about playing on the ground more than we did. Neither team got a grip on it. I thought we were had control on the game before the penalty game (first goal conceded). Some chances, most from set-pieces. Could have gone either way.
“It’s always impossible, you try to talk to them, encourage them, it’s just pain, we feel pain. It takes time, our job is to wake up tomorrow and start again.”
Very hard to win penalties away from home as shown by Ireland players having to deal with a strange ambulance-like noise to put them off for their penalties and jeering. Harsh end for the team as Azaz and Browne miss. They hit the post twice in normal time, fine margins.
Czech Republic go through to play Denmark in the World Cup playoff final. Ireland play North Macedonia in a friendly, the ultimate hangover game.
Browne misses! A bad penalty unfortunately, never looked comfortable.
Kliment scores! Great penalty in the corner. Ireland have been beaten on penalties.
Ireland 3 Czech 4 on pens
A cruel end.
Azaz misses! The keeper went the right way but it was a poor penalty, not in the corner.
Schick scores! Waits for Kelleher to move then slots it past him.
Ireland 3 Czech 3 on pens
Brady scores! He stutters a bit and right in the corner, keeper went the wrong way.
Chytil misses! Kelleher saves a weak penalty! Ireland lead!
Ireland 3 Czech 2 on pens
Idah scores! Keeper went the right way but it was in the corner.
Soucek scores! Sends Kelleher the wrong way, composure shooting to the right.
Ireland 2 Czech 2 on pens
Troy Parrott scores! Sends the keeper the wrong way!
Ireland 1 Czech 0 on pens
Krejci scores! Kelleher got a hand to it but he just couldn’t keep it out.
Ireland 1 Czech 1 on pens
120 mins: Four minutes stoppage time after the break for Szmodics’ injury. Jimmy Dunne wins a corner for Ireland... Brady takes but Chytil heads it away. O’Brien looking for a flick on from the throw, but he doesn’t get it.
One last attack for Czechs from a free-kick, from it a few good blocks for Ireland. Parrott carries the ball up the pitch and tries to pass it through to Azaz but blocked. Time up.
Full-time: Czech Republic 2 Republic of Ireland 2
Penalties to come!
118 mins: Szmodics gets an awful bang and gets medical attention immediately, hopefully he’s okay. A stretcher for Szmodics, looks like a not insignificant head injury after an aerial battle. He was only on the pitch for two minutes. Ireland had one sub left luckily enough, so Vale will come on for his debut for Szmodics for the closing minutes.
115 mins: Ireland win a breaking ball as the game gets a little stretched but Azaz’s pass doesn’t find Idah or Parrott.
One last throw of the dice by Hallgrímsson, Szmodics on for Molumby.
112 mins: Ireland having a decent spell, led by the fatigue-less Molumby who continues to toil and carry the ball. The Czechs sitting back and looked to counter as Brady took a heavy touch but O’Shea showed great pace at this time of the match to cover.
110 mins: Not too much happening this half as Brady launches a long free-kick into the box that is safely cleared away. Then it looked like a clear handball outside the box by Chytil, but not given.
Half-time in extra-time: Czech Republic 2 Ireland 2
The Czechs have an excellent record in penalty shootouts. A goal in this 15-minute spell wouldn’t go amiss.
103 mins: Another striker on for the Czechs as Kliment comes on. Chance of a counter but Browne couldn’t control it.
104 mins: Chance for Ireland! Parrott feeds Idah through on goal and he almost gets past the defender but a fantastic recovery tackle by Chaloupek to save the day.
100 mins: Ireland are struggling a bit, they look leggy and the midfield is not really getting up to support the attack.
The Czechs are claiming for a handball on Molumby for a penalty, but looks like nothing in it. It’s not given.
98 mins: Chance for Czech Republic! Dunne’s first touch isn’t secure as Karabec battled with Brady, should have been a foul but the ball came into Soucek only seven or eight yards out and he misses.
95 mins: Much slower pace to this half, as Ireland prepare to bring on Dunne and Idah.
Brilliant run by Ogbene again, flipped the ball over the defender and kept running. Couldn’t get the cross away without being blocked. It’s his last action as Idah comes on, Coleman another one with tired legs, Dunne is on.
92 mins (ET): No subs made for Ireland then, early possession by the Czechs before Parrott gets the ball 35 yards out and has a go but miles over.
Here was the equalising goal:
Final stats: eight shots each, four on target for Czechs compared to three for Ireland. Czechs ended with 54 per cent possession. But doesn’t tell the full story as Czechs have had the territory but Ireland have hit the post twice.
Does Hallgrímsson need to make subs? Only made two so far and they looked tired.
90+2 mins: Ireland looking for one last attack, but a long ball by Molumby to Coleman goes out of play.
90+4 mins: O’Brien fouls Sulc and he tells everyone to pile forward. One more aerial bombardment to survive.
Oof, nervy stuff, Soucek is involved, it’s pinging around everywhere in the box and Krejci has a chance to win it but can’t get a hold of it.
Full-time: Czech Republic 2 Ireland 2 - heading for extra time.
90 mins: Four minutes of stoppage time. Finally Czech Republic get a yellow card for Hranac fouling Molumby.
89 mins: Ireland had a dangerous free-kick but was cleared and a ball in from O’Shea and Azaz fouls the defender. Will there be a late show again?
86 mins: Goal for Czech Republic! Oh no, it’s the captain Krejci from a corner. Great ball to the front post, and he was facing away from goal but he was too close not to score.
Czech Republic 2 Ireland 2
Italy lead Northern Ireland 2-0, Kean with the goal.
84 mins: Karabec is on, the 22-year-old is a good talent and a threat. Ireland sitting back now and just waiting for a counter. They’ve had the better chances so far but haven’t been able to get the third. It’s tense.
81 mins: Chance for Ireland! O’Brien’s long throw, well flicked on by O’Shea then a brilliant header by Parrott into the corner but Kovar makes a fantastic save. Had been another brave run by Ogbene who carried it a long way and won the throw. Then from the corner, which was cleared, Parrott almost snuck in with a touch to control a ball over the top.
Elsewhere, 4-0 to Denmark, Norgaard with the fourth. Northern Ireland still in with a fighting chance at 1-0 down after 79 mins. Wales beating Bosnia 1-0, Poland have come back to lead Albania 2-1, Sweden beating Ukraine 3-0, Kosovo beating Slovakia 4-2.
76 mins: Molumby doesn’t deal with a ball in midfield and the Czechs had numbers over but Sulc is offside from a corner. But a good offside trap and Ireland’s defenders have been solid.
73 mins: Scrappy few minutes as the Czechs continue their tactic of just pumping balls into the box, no element of finesse from them yet so far. Dara O’Shea has been superb in dealing with their threat, Collins too. Chytil is on for Chory.
70 mins: Parrott, who has been relatively quiet, bursts into life with a few nice touches around defenders, but the Czechs block off any progression and Ireland pass it all the way back along the defenders. Good pass by Browne to Azaz in a dangerous area, Parrott makes a run but they get mixed up and lose it.
67 mins: Substitutions time. Robbie Brady and Alan Browne to come in for Manning, who had a head injury, and Taylor.
65 mins: A cynical foul by Chaloupek, again a player avoids a yellow card, after Ogbene had a give and go. Good ball in by Manning but well headed out by Krejci. Nice little through ball then by Azaz to Ogbene, whose cross was poorer this time.
63 mins: Krejci wins a header from a corner but well over the bar. Then a great clearance by Collins from his six-yard box when challenged by Chory.
Denmark flying it against North Macedonia now. Gustav Isaksen scores two, it’s 3-0 Denmark.
Italy lead 1-0 against Northern Ireland. Tonali scores for the Italians, leaving the North with all to do there.
60 mins: Ireland need to weather the storm as their box is being peppered with long balls and crosses. A style they are familiar with at least, both teams trying to play a similar way. Frantic stuff, Ireland need to get a hold on the ball.
Damsgaard has given Denmark the lead against North Macedonia, as it stands it would be Ireland v Denmark on Tuesday in Dublin.
57 mins: Kelleher has to punch a ball over after a testing ball in from a corner. Another corner and Ireland try to counter but they take the ball off Ogbene and go again, before Coufal kicks it out of play.
53 mins: Ireland hit the post again! Oh no, so close. Molumby takes a volley from outside the box, it’s hit well and low and beats the keeper, only to cannon back off the post. First-time showing excellent technique after Soucek headed it away, unlucky.
51 mins: Collins wrestling for the ball in the box after a good cross but a free-kick to the opposition this time. The Czechs are flying in the crosses now, Coufal’s cross to Krejci and his header is slow and looping but has to be tipped over by Kelleher. O’Shea is then fouled by Chory, a serious aerial battle.
48 mins: An early long ball by the Czechs into the box and Collins has to be brave into contact to deal with it. A more intensive press is putting Ireland under pressure, Coleman gets away with a loose clearance.
Tomas Soucek is on at half-time, the West Ham midfielder is a big threat.
Here’s the reaction from The Irish Times bar in Prague (not affiliated with The Irish Times, but we approve its spirit)
Half-time: Czech Republic 1 Ireland 2
Well then, that was a very positive half of football by Ireland. Deserved to lead overall, although they will be annoyed to give a goal back after Manning’s unnecessary foul straight after scoring the second. Collins hit the post and had another chance outside the two goals, so they’ve created plenty. Czech Republic grew into the game as the half went on, so this is far from over.
At half-time elsewhere, it’s Italy 0 Northern Ireland 0 and Denmark 0 North Macedonia 0. Wales v Bosnia and Herzegovina is also goalless. Albania surprisingly lead Poland 1-0 away from home.
45 mins: In stoppage time, a half-chance for the Czechs as Sulc takes a shot from outside the box but swipes it wide after a flick on by Chory, a common combination.
44 mins: Dangerous moment for Ireland as Sulc is found in the box in space after a great pass by Holes and he cuts it back to Schick. Excellent defending by Coleman to get his body ahead of Schick and win a free-kick. Then Coufal gets away without a yellow card bizarrely after completely mistiming a tackle on Manning.
42 mins: Another great run by Ogbene, pace and power as always, winning a corner off Krejci. Manning goes long again from the corner but the Czechs work it out this time. Nice play by Ireland as Coleman finds Azaz on the edge of the box in space. Brilliant turn but a curling shot is weakly hit and caught by the keeper.
40 mins: Very physical game, as Darida limps around his own box looking for a free-kick but the referee plays on. Earlier, big man Chory of 6 ft 6in fell down looking for a penalty after an aerial duel with O’Shea but not much in it.
Elsewhere, Italy and Northern Ireland is still 0-0, not too bad for Michael O’Neill’s team. Same with Denmark against North Macedonia.
34 mins: So far Ireland have 58 per cent possession, which shows the Czechs have been direct too and five shots to two, so have been well deserving of their lead. Krejci gets a warning after fouling Ogbene again, the captain is lucky to avoid a yellow card.
31 mins: Helter skelter few minutes as the Czechs up the ante and ends up with Jurasek on the ground after a challenge by Coleman. Molumby getting stuck in too. Great game for the neutrals, but not too many neutrals in the crowd there.
Penalty for Czech Republic! Absolute chaos, only a minute or two after scoring, Manning fouls Krejci in the box, pulls him back. Silly foul and costly.
Goal for Czech Republic! Patrik Schick steps up and scores. Well taken against Kelleher.
Czech Republic 1 Ireland 2
23 mins: GOAL FOR IRELAND! What a start for Hallgrímsson’s team, O’Shea heads it back from a deep corner by Manning and the Czechs are all over the place, Coufal mistimes the header and seems to be an own goal into his own net. Wasn’t immediately clear if it was over the line, but the referee gives it.
Czech Republic 0 Ireland 2
21 mins: An early booking for Jack Taylor for a sloppy foul as the Czechs try to spark into action, Ireland the better side so far.
19 mins: Troy Parrott gives Ireland the lead! A big break in action and lots of booing from a hostile crowd but he slots it into the corner from the penalty spot. That man again!
Czech Republic 0 Ireland 1
PENALTY FOR IRELAND! Referee Glenn Nyberg goes to VAR in Ireland’s favour again in the World Cup campaign, big protests from the Czech players. Did seem a little soft, but there was definitely contact. Seen them given, no doubt. We’ll take it.
15 mins: Ireland’s long balls are going well and Manning takes a lovely touch on the wing to win another throw-in in an advanced area. From it, Collins claims for a penalty after he goes down in the box, possible contact but the referee plays on.
On replay it’s not clear, there is a VAR check.
It came as Sulc had got the Czech’s first shot on target, straight at Kelleher.
12 mins: Positive start for Ireland then, Collins inches away from giving them the lead. A bit of possession for Czech Republic but Holes overhits a pass out of play. Ogbene wins a foul on Krejci, maybe revenge for what happened earlier.
8 mins: Ireland hit the crossbar! Wow, a long throw into the box falls to Nathan Collins of all people outside the box and he smashes it off the crossbar. Ended up being a key deflection by the defender. Then another chance for Collins from the corner, but he can’t direct the header on target from relatively short range.
6 mins: That’s why Ogbene was picked to start, chases a long ball on Krejci and forces him to give it out for a corner. A big cheer to the away fans. Manning takes the corner, cleared away, Molumby scuffs a shot from outside the box but Ireland still have it.
Manning gets a flick onto Ogbene but the Czechs defend it well and end up with a throw-in.
3 mins: A few long direct passes to start by Ireland that are overhit by Collins and Kelleher. Darida has a few touches, who hasn’t played since Euro 2021 and was brought back for this match. First half-chance for the Czechs with a long ball to Schick well flicked on, but Chory hand balls it.
The teams are coming out on the pitch. The fans are blasting out Amhrán na bhFiann, good to see. They’re going to be as loud as an away crowd can be in that stadium. The Czech anthem gets a rendition from a local singer.
From Ronan McGreevy:
The Czech Inn used to be the meeting point for the Czech population in Dublin.
It has since changed hands and is now the Lundy Foot in Temple Bar. Old habits die hard though and Czech fans Lukas Dej and Richard Velech gathered for the game. Others are expected to arrival later.
They have been in Ireland for 19 years and 13 years respectively.
“I can’t lose,” said Velech. “Ireland is my second home. I already have a ticket for the South Korea game in the World Cup. If Ireland make the World Cup, I’ll happily cheer for Ireland.”
Dej said: “| will support Ireland. I have loads of Irish friends. If the Czechs wins I’m happy, if Ireland wins, I’m not going to complain.”
The main man Troy Parrott warming up before the match. The away stand is filling up.
The first team through to the World Cup playoff final in the Uefa section is Turkey, who have beaten Romania 1-0, Ferdi Kadioglu with the goal. Northern Ireland and Wales are among the teams playing later at the same time as the Republic of Ireland, as are Denmark and North Macedonia, who are in Ireland’s Path D.
Ireland under-21s have unfortunately drawn their game 1-1 against Moldova at home, a poor result really that leaves them further behind in the group.
Heimir Hallgrímsson on the team selection on RTÉ: “Not sure Robbie Brady can do 120 mins, we’d like to have him later in the game.”
Pretty sweet set-up to watch the match!
Ireland team announced! Manning and Taylor make the team in the only two changes from the side that beat Hungary in November.
Ireland team to play Czech Republic: Kelleher; Coleman, O’Brien, Collins (capt), O’Shea, Manning; Taylor, Molumby; Ogbene, Azaz, Parrott
Gavin Cummiskey writes:
The big call is Jack Taylor starts in midfield alongside Jayson Molumby. Taylor actually started alongside the currently injured Josh Cullen for the 2-0 defeat of Portugal in October, when he was replaced after 68 minutes by Conor Coventry. As the Czech media flagged this week, former captain Tomas Soucek has been replaced in the line-up by Vladimír Darida.
Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrímsson has made no secret of his preference for a big man in the middle of the park. Taylor brings that size. Ryan Manning gets the nod at left wing-back ahead of Robbie Brady.
Czech Republic team: Kovar; Holes, Krejci (capt), Hranac; Coufal, V Darida, L Provod, P Sulc, D Jurasek; T Chory, Schick.
If Ireland are going to win tonight, then Caoimhín Kelleher is likely to be a big factor after a brilliant qualification campaign already, Gavin Cummiskey’s interview with him a few months ago is worth checking out:
[ Caoimhín Kelleher: ‘We need to get the country to a World Cup’Opens in new window ]
When talking about saving panenkas in the home of Panenka, where he recently caught a Panenka effort from Sunderland’s Enzo Le Fée, he said:
“Maybe you can put the pressure on them by holding your feet a little longer, but other times you have to gamble and go a bit earlier,” explains Kelleher. “It is a nice feeling when you can save one.” His penalty-saving record may come in handy tonight.
Ireland’s under-21s have equalised in their Uefa Under-21 qualification match against Moldova, Jamie Mullins with the goal. 40 minutes gone in that one.
Meanwhile, it’s Turkey 0 Romania 0 at half-time in the first of the World Cup playoff games. That one was a 5pm kick-off, the rest are at 7.45pm. Turkey would be big favourites for that one with stars like Arda Guler and Hakan Çalhanoğlu.
Kevin Kilbane’s column goes into Ireland’s history in playoffs, of which he played four of them and he’s still bitter about what happened with Thierry Henry’s handball in 2009. He would be happy to see Ireland replicate that level of performance though at least tonight.
“It’s as good a performance as any Ireland game I was involved in. They were not ready for our intensity. That’s what we have to see in Prague. Get after them from the off.”
Gavin Cummiskey reports - Life in Prague, outside the old town square, moving along as usual for a Thursday evening. Tram ride to Fortuna Arena shows no sign of a big match.
Meanwhile, in the main square...
How Heimir Hallgrímsson found the formula for Ireland to use in the Czech Republic
Finn Azaz could be a key player tonight as he found his feet as a playmaker in Ireland’s final two qualifying games.
“The Southampton midfielder took charge in attacking midfield and put in his best performance in an Irish shirt as he delivered an excellent lofted through-ball to Parrott, who expertly scored the equalising goal.
“Ireland should have led the game before that after another exceptional long pass by Azaz, who picked the ball up around the centre circle and fed Johnny Kenny, who was denied by an outstanding save by the goalkeeper.”
More here:
The referee for the match tonight will be Glenn Nyberg, who sent off Cristiano Ronaldo in Dublin, although sometimes forgotten is that he gave a yellow card at first for his elbow on Dara O’Shea and had to been notified by Video Assistant Referee Pol van Boekel to check on his screen. When he did, he had no hesitation. If only we had VAR in 2009 when Ireland played France, eh?
Chiedozie Ogbene showing some GAA skills:
He hasn’t played much for his club Sheffield United unfortunately due to injuries so his place in the team is under threat tonight. Whether Hallgrímsson starts him or newcomer Harvey Vale might be one to watch out for, while in centre midfield Josh Cullen is out so Alan Browne and Jason Knight are in contention there. Bosun Lawal is out of the squad.
Soccer correspondent Gavin Cummiskey reports there is all sorts of madness in the town square, good clean fun with the Irish fans as a wedding couple get “Ole, Ole”.
A contender to break Ireland’s heart tonight is Patrik Schick, and Michael Walker has done a profile on the Leverkusen striker. Walker notes the “clever header Schick scored against Manchester City in the Champions League in November. This was a forward judging his run to perfection to glance in a touch with his forehead – as Nathan Ake realised a fraction too late.
“This is the kind of cross and header Ireland are likely to face in Prague on Thursday, not long-distance belters. And it was a goal scored at the highest level.”
A star at Euro 2020 with a famous long-range goal, he knows how to find the net.
[ Patrik Schick: The dangerous Czech striker Ireland must stop in PragueOpens in new window ]
Hi there, David Gorman on now until finishing time where hopefully it will be a time of celebration. Another Troy Parrott hat-trick wouldn’t go amiss, but a scruffy own goal in a 1-0 win would be perfectly fine too.
Our David Gorman will look after you for the rest of the build-up to the game. Hopefully it will be another night to remember. Enjoy every moment .... if you can.
More from Jack Power in Prague: Czech police warn Irish in Prague to be wary of ticket scams
Local police in Prague have warned the thousands of Irish fans who have descended on the city to be wary when buying re-sale tickets.
The Republic of Ireland were allocated just 1,024 tickets in the 19,730-capacity Fortuna Arena, meaning many die-hard fans who regularly travel to watch Ireland away matches were left ticketless this time.
It’s likely a few extra thousand Irish fans will find their way into the stadium by buying tickets in the home Czech end of the stadium. The going rate on the ground for a last minute spot among the Czech supporters is between €200-€300.
Local police this afternoon warned Irish fans to be wary of scams, though officers said there had been no reports of Irish supporters being
stung when buying second hand tickets yet.
A loudspeaker attached to a police van pulled up to the old town square where large numbers of the Irish have gathered, to broadcast the warning on Thursday afternoon.
Meanwhile, Ireland Football Supporter Liaison Officer Gary Spain is warning Irish fans not to attempt to enter blocks 106-110 at the ground which are usually populated by the Czech ‘ultras’.
RTE is giving the nations shivers:
We’re running out of Kleenex here:
You might have noticed a bit of a running theme over in Prague. The locals must indeed be mystified. No pressure, Troy.
Some more reading for you. Diarmuid O’Carroll brought us the view from the Czech Republic earlier this week where, he says, “there is a tangible sense of optimism and confidence in the air that the Czech national team can knock the Republic of Ireland out of World Cup contention”.
[ Ireland are in for a hostile nightOpens in new window ]
Gavin Cummiskey heard from Miroslav Koubek yesterday, the new(ish) Czech head coach denying that he meant the Irish team play a primitive game when he talked of “island football”. He blames Google Translate.
[ Czech manager takes issue with interpretation of his Ireland commentsOpens in new window ]
Gavin also turned his analytical eye on the likely playmakers in tonight’s game, Ireland’s Finn Azaz and the Czech Republic’s Pavel Sulc.
[ Finn Azaz and Pavel Sulc hold the keys to unlock defences in Prague clashOpens in new window ]
Czech football is not without its problems - it’s currently embroiled in a match-fixing scandal. David Gorman explains all.
[ Czech Republic football embroiled in match-fixing scandal Opens in new window ]
We’re reluctant to remind you that Ireland’s play-off record isn’t the best. Along the way, we had a melee in Turkey, joy in Iran and scandal in Paris. There was rarely a dull moment. We take you through 30 years of highs and lows.
[ The most memorable moments from Ireland’s playoff historyOpens in new window ]
A blast from the past: Mr Mourinho with a gift for Troy Parrott after he made his Premier League debut for Spurs back in December 2019.
From Jack Power in Prague: It’s a cold day here in Prague and there were certainly a few sore heads among the thousands of Irish fans who have brought the party to the Czech capital, but the travelling supporters wasted no time in getting back on it.
The Irish fans have largely taken over the square in Prague’s old town. Chants of “Troy Parrott’s on fire” and “stand up for the boys in green” ring around the city centre.
For the majority of the travelling fans, who don’t have tickets to the match, even getting in somewhere to watch it poses a challenge.
A queue had formed outside some of the Irish bars before they had even opened on Thursday morning.
“We’re locked in here for the day, we tried three Irish bars before,” says Conor O’Brien, from Carrigaline, after securing a table in front of a television in the Golden Kettle Irish pub, minutes after it opens its doors. The group from Cork have nearly nine hours in front of them before a ball is kicked. Does the pub even serve food? “I believe so,” says one of his mates, sounding a bit unsure.
The surprise inclusion in Heimir Hallgrímsson’s squad for the Czech game was that of former England under-19 captain Harvey Vale. Ken Early has a notion he might even start tonight. Gordon Manning heard from Vale earlier this week and brings you his story.
Forty-two of the 48 qualifying slots have already been filled for this summer’s World Cup - by: Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Cape Verde, Colombia, Croatia, Curaçao, Ecuador, Egypt, England, France, Germany, Ghana, Haiti, Iran, Ivory Coast, Japan, Jordan, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Senegal, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Tunisia, United States, Uruguay and Uzbekistan.
Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan and Uzbekistan have all qualified for the first time, Curaçao the smallest nation - with a population of 156,000 - ever to do so. And having hosted the last tournament, Qatar made it off their own bat this time.
The Republic of Ireland’s match is one of eight World Cup qualifying play-offs in Europe today. Here are the other games, which include Northern Ireland’s trip to Bergamo. All are at 7.45pm, except Turkey v Romania which is at 5pm. A reminder that should Ireland win tonight, they will play Denmark or North Macedonia on Tuesday in Dublin.
- Path A:
Italy v Northern Ireland
Wales v Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Path B:
Ukraine v Sweden
Poland v Albania
- Path C:
Turkey v Romania
Slovakia v Kosovo
- Path D:
Czech Republic v Ireland
Denmark v North Macedonia
Here’s Ireland’s match-day squad. Bosun Lawal is the surprise missing name - there had been plenty of chat in the build-up about him making his senior debut tonight, maybe even starting in place of the suspended Josh Cullen.
One of the many pieces our crew penned in the build-up to the game was Malachy Clerkin’s very lovely reflection on how the nation responded to Troy Parrott’s hat-trick goal in Budapest. Among those he spoke to was Slovakian Zuzana Botikova whose video of the reaction in Dublin Airport remains a thing of beauty.
[ From the airport to the maternity ward – where were you for Troy Parrott’s goal?Opens in new window ]
Our man in Prague, Gavin Cummiskey, has just sent us the view from his hotel room. The image, of course, shows a baroque relief sculpture of Saint Anthony of Padua located on the facade of the Church of Saint James the Greater in the Old Town of Prague (thank you Google Images reverse search), although when we asked Gavin who was the main fella in it, he said “that’s Heimir”. Presumably that’s Caoimhín Kelleher holding the cross.
There’s just under - checks countdown clock - nine hours to kick-off in Prague, which is a lot of time to fill when butterflies are doing somersaults in your tummy. So what better way to calm yourself than to indulge in some reading?
Mind you, Ken Early will give you the heebie-jeebies by reminding you that tonight’s game could go to penalties…. and the Czech Republic “have the best penalty shootout record in world football”. He talks to the creator of perhaps the most famous peno of all, Antonín Panenka.
[ Ireland may want to avoid penalties in the home of Antonín PanenkaOpens in new window ]
Gavin Cummiskey might, though, ease your worries a bit in his match preview - he reminds you that Caoimhín Kelleher has a mighty penalty-saving record.
[ Passion, composure – and Troy Parrott – needed for this oneOpens in new window ]
Speaking of mightiness: Séamus Coleman. Gordon Manning heard from the Donegal man on the eve of his 78th cap, his lack of playing time for Everton - he hasn’t made an appearance since November - not bothering him.
[ Ireland’s Mr Dependable will give it his all to make World CupOpens in new window ]
‘We want to do it for the people’
Séamus Coleman issued a rallying call at the press conference on Tuesday. Speaking about the team’s exploits last November, when Ireland came from the brink to qualify with wins against Portugal and Hungary, he said:
“It was incredible what it did to our country, how it lifted our people, how it made people happier and gave them something to get up in the morning and talk about.
“That is so important. As much as us players want to do it for ourselves and for the manager and all the people behind the scenes, we want to do it for the people of our country.”
America 2026
To get the hype going for the match tonight, check out the new Irish Times soccer podcast with Paul Howard and Kevin Kilbane, who has played in four of Ireland’s 11 major tournament playoffs. In this podcast he tells the stories of Ireland’s games against Belgium for World Cup 1998, Turkey for Euro 2000, Iran for World Cup 2002 and France for World Cup 2010.
Heartbreak and glory: Ireland's history of World Cup playoffs
The teams’ last significant meeting was a Euro 2008 qualifier under Steve Staunton. Karl McGrath was there and saw Ireland lose 1-0. He was also the subject of a famous photograph taken by David Maher:
Gordon Manning tracked McGrath down ahead of his return to Prague this week.
“It looks like I’m staring right down the lens of the camera, but I had no idea there was even a photographer there. That photo gave me my 15 minutes of fame,” McGrath says.
Ireland’s head-to-head record v Czech Republic
(Since independence in 1992): W2 D2 L4
(Including Czechoslovakia): W6 D3 L11
Ireland don’t have a particularly positive record against the Czechs, who they have not beaten since March 2004. The Czechs were unbeaten in 20 matches then, so it was an impressive victory against a team that perhaps should have won Euro 2004, even if only in a friendly. Ian Harte and Robbie Keane scored the goals in Dublin.
Away from home, including the days of Czechoslovakia, Ireland have only won twice in 10 matches, and have only beaten them once away in a competitive game, in November 1967 when in Euro 1968 qualifying.
Hello and welcome to live coverage of the Republic of Ireland’s World Cup playoff against the Czech Republic in Prague, where we’ll have all the build-up ahead of one of the biggest games for the national team in many years. Who will start for Heimir Hallgrímsson? Josh Cullen and Evan Ferguson are among those out with injury, with recently called up Harvey Vale in contention for the starting team. That team should be announced about an hour before the game, which kicks off at 7.45pm.
Here’s the Ireland squad for the match:
Goalkeepers: Caoimhín Kelleher (Brentford), Mark Travers (Everton), Josh Keeley (Luton Town).
Defenders: Séamus Coleman (Everton), Jimmy Dunne (QPR), Nathan Collins (Brentford), Dara O’Shea (Ipswich Town), Jake O’Brien (Everton), John Egan (Hull City), James Abankwah (Watford), Liam Scales (Celtic), Robbie Brady (Preston North End), Ryan Manning (Southampton).
Midfielders: Jayson Molumby (West Brom), Bosun Lawal (Stoke City), Jack Taylor (Ipswich Town), Alan Browne (Middlesbrough), Jason Knight (Bristol City), Finn Azaz (Southampton), Harvey Vale (QPR).
Attackers: Troy Parrott (AZ Alkmaar), Adam Idah (Swansea City), Johnny Kenny (Bolton, on loan from Celtic), Chiedozie Ogbene (Sheffield United, on loan from Ipswich Town), Sammie Szmodics (Derby, on loan from Ipswich Town).
