Republic of Ireland U17 captain Nathan Collins has said that he was heartbroken by his side’s penalty shootout defeat to the Netherlands on Monday.
Ireland bowed out of the quarter-finals stage of the UEFA European Under-17 Championship after losing 5-4 on penalties following a 1-1 draw at the end of extra-time.
Ireland’s exit was marred in controversy after Czech match official Zbynek Proske issued goalkeeper Jimmy Corcoran a second yellow card for encroaching after he saved Holland’s Daishawn Redan’s penalty to tie the shootout at 4-4.
Corcoran was dismissed by Proske and Redan was allowed to retake his penalty which he scored after a second attempt to put Holland through to the semi-finals where they will play England on Thursday.
Collins said that he couldn’t be any prouder of his side’s effort but that the decision to dismiss Corcoran and allow Redan to retake his penalty was ultimately Proske’s decision.
“It’s heartbreaking, but couldn’t be prouder of the lads because they gave everything and it just hasn’t come our way,” Collins told RTÉ Sport.
“I didn’t know what to do I didn’t know what to think, when he saved it I was buzzing, but then it was the ref’s decision, wasn’t it…
“I’m sure their keeper might have come off the line as well, but it was his decision and there’s nothing we could do about it. Nothing we can dwell on now.
“I couldn’t be any prouder – they gave 100 per cent in every game.”
Meanwhile Ireland manager Colin O’Brien said that his team were devastated at the result but that his players have big careers ahead of them in the sport.
Ireland Under-17 manager Colin O'Brien: "I think he said something that he might have come off his line earlier and he warned the Dutch goalkeeper in two of the penalties as well." #rtesoccer #COYBIG pic.twitter.com/hubsOlbxcC
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) May 14, 2018
“I think he said something that he might have come off his line earlier and he warned the Dutch goalkeeper in two of the penalties as well,” O’Brien told Tony O’Donoghue.
“Look, these boys have done their country proud tonight. They’ve great character, they’ve been like that all year and they’re a super bunch of lads.
“Probably our quality on the ball tonight might have been a little bit better, but we limited this talented Dutch team in goal-scoring opportunities.
“We got a great goal after going one down, it went to penalties and we were very unfortunate with what happened here tonight.
“They’ll be devastated but they’ve been fantastic year and they’ve all got big careers ahead of them.
“They’ve had a great season with us, going through two qualifying rounds with us unbeaten, topped their group and as I’ve said they’ve run a real talented Dutch side right to the limit tonight.
“It’s a tough way to go out but we’ll take a lot out of it and they’ve all got big careers ahead of them in the game.”
