Scotland women have failed to qualify for a second successive World Cup after a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Ireland on Tuesday night.
Pedro Martinez Losa's team enjoyed a strong group campaign to reach the playoffs but the convoluted process meant qualifying was never going to be straightforward. Abi Harrison's late winner against Austria sent the Scots through the first playoff stage and they met Ireland in front of a record competitive crowd of 10,708 at Hampden knowing a win could send them straight to the tournament - provided results elsewhere went their way.
But it was to be Vera Pauw's side who booked their ticket to next year's showpiece thanks to Amber Barrett's strike deep into the final quarter of the clash. It is the first time the Irish have qualified for a major tournament. Scotland bossed 74% possession but could only muster three shots at Courtney Brosnan's goal while Caroline Weir's spot-kick was saved midway through the first half.
And speaking to BBC Alba after the game, Martinez Losa apologised to the nation for the result. He said: "I'm very disappointed - for the girls, and for the whole nation. It was an incredible opportunity. I think the game was hard on us, but those things happen in life and in football. In apologise to the fans. We wanted to qualify for the World Cup so badly.
"We missed little details. We didn't score the penalty, and after that, I'm not sure how many opportunities the opposition had to score. The game plan was executed well. It was one action at one side of the box and another at the one side of the box that decided the game. The hard work of the players has been amazing - I couldn't ask for any more. We'll stick together, come back together, and hopefully we have another opportunity soon."
The best two teams in the European playoffs qualified directly while the third winner faces a February Inter-Continental playoff in New Zealand. But results elsewhere where Switzerland's extra time win over Wales and Portugal thrashing of Iceland booked Ireland a ticket straight to next year's tournament finals and sent Martinez-Losa's girls soul searching.
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