Ireland deflated as Japan end World Cup dream

Ireland 1 Japan 2

Although they play Belgium today to decide their final finishing place, a battle for seventh or eighth place was not what the Irish wanted, and though it may count for vital world ranking points, it is not what they came for - a fact reflected by the emotion among players, management and supporters.

A goal down with five minutes to go, Ireland still created three clear-cut chances in the last five minutes with every prospect of golden goal extra time to follow, but it just didn’t happen for them and as the rain fell, the thunder rolled and lightning flashed, Irish lights dimmed and were finally extinguished.