Shootout agony as Under-21s lose out in Israel

Israel 0-0 Republic of Ireland (AET)

Israel win 3-1 on penalties

A campaign that started over 12 months ago with a win in Bosnia ended in Tel Aviv in heartbreaking fashion as Jim Crawford's Under-21s lost their European Championship play-off on penalties.

After over two hours of energy sapping action at Bloomfield Stadium and the sides remained scoreless, progression would be decided by a shootout - it could not have gone much worse for the Republic of Ireland.

Israeli keeper Daniel Peretz was the hero with three saves, but in truth the penalties of Tyreik Wright, Evan Ferguson and Dawson Devoy were poor. There was even more frustration with the fact Irish stopper Brian Maher was inches from stopping Eden Karzev's first penalty for Israel.

Wright, Ferguson and Devoy were all substitutes as Crawford used his full complement to try and refresh his team amid fierce heat and humidity - Conor Coventry, Ireland's designated penalty taker, was the only Irish player to find the net.

Penalty heartbreak as the Republic of Ireland Under-21s miss out on qualification for European Championships after a 3-1 shootout defeat to Israel #IRLU21 #COYBIG pic.twitter.com/rJ08slbeWZ

Israel had gone into the game as favourites after drafting senior players Liel Abada of Celtic, Maccabi Netanya midfielder Eden Karzev and Olympiacos defender Doron Leidner into their squad.

All three, who played against Albania in the Nations League on Saturday, started the winner-takes-all clash, which the home side did dominate for long stages, without threatening the Irish goal too often during a tense encounter.

The hosts probed in the first half but were repeatedly repelled by the Irish defence. Abada and Oscar Gloukh shot wide while Idan Gorno forced Maher to save.

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