Seamus Coleman has claimed that he and his Republic of Ireland teammates 'let themselves down' after being pipped to automatic qualification into Euro 2016 by Poland tonight.
Martin O'Neill's side were consigned to the playoffs in Group D after losing 2-1 in Warsaw in a defeat which saw the visitors manage just three shots on target.
In contrast, the Boys in Green beat world champions Germany - who finished top of the group - on Thursday, and the Everton right-back expected more from the Irish this evening given their midweek scalp.
"We are all disappointed after doing brilliantly against Germany [in the last match]," he told UEFA.com. "We let ourselves down. We had the confidence and expected to win."
Victory, or a 2-2 draw or higher, would have seen Ireland progress automatically, but Grzegorz Krychowiak fired Poland ahead on 13 minutes, before Jonathan Walters equalised with a penalty, despite Kamil Glik's foul on Shane Long appearing to have occurred outside the box.
However, Robert Lewandowski then headed home the winner shortly before the break as the Poles advanced into next summer's finals in second place.
Shane Callaghan
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