Parrott 'gutted' after shoot-out heartbreak
· Yahoo Sports
The dejection in the voice and on the face of Republic of Ireland striker Troy Parrott was clear after his sides World Cup dream ended with a penalty shoot-out defeat in Prague.
Parrott was elevated to hero status after his five goal haul in November - two against Portugal and a hat-trick against Hungary - booked their place in the play-offs.
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Hopes were hinged on the Dubliner firing the country to their first World Cup since 2002, and he upheld his end of the bargain by opening the scoring from the spot and also converting in the shoot-out.
"We knew how much this meant to everyone. I'm just really, really gutted that we couldn't do it for everyone that has supported us," Parrott said after the game.
"All of the Irish that are back home that have been supporting us, thank you, stick with us. It's at times like this where I'm so, so happy where I come from."
After Parrott's early spot kick gave the visitors in Prague the lead, an own goal from Czech goalkeeper Matej Kovar doubled their advantage midway through the first half.
The home side fought back with Patrik Schick converting a penalty before the break and captain Ladislav Krejci forcing extra time in the final five minutes of the match.
The resulting penalty shoot-out went the way of the hosts with Irish pair Finn Azaz and Alan Browne missing their spot-kicks, and AZ Alkmaar striker Parrott was quick to exonerate his team-mate for any blame in the defeat.
"It's never nice, I think it really takes a lot of nerve to step up there and take a penalty," Parrott confirmed.
"So for sure there'll be no blame from me to my teammates. I respect them even more for stepping up in that situation and taking a penalty.
"They didn't have to, they could have said no, they could have said they didn't want to take it.
"Look, it's really hard for me to stand here and talk about me scoring a penalty after so many hearts have been broken tonight.
"We just said in the changing room that now is the time to stick together as a group because we have some really, really good players and we'll be back for sure."