It was heartbreak for Derry City this evening in Tallaght Stadium, as they were knocked out of the Europa Conference League in the third qualifying round by FC Tobol.
Tobol came into the game with 1-0 lead from their home leg, and will now advance to a play-off round clash with FC Viktoria Plzeň of the Czech Republic.
Derry did manage get off to a perfect start when they levelled the tie after just 15 minutes.
Ivan Rogač clumsily collided with Michael Duffy in the area, but in a rather safe position for the Kazakh club, before Will Patching dispatched the spot kick.
Derry were on top for much of the game, with Paul McMullan and Cian Kavanagh spurning excellent second-half chances to send their side through.
Derry City Will Rue Missed Chances
Derry City 1-0 Tobol Kostanay (1-1 agg)
Rogac runs into Duffy in the box and Derry win a penalty that Patching dispatches coolly. Level on aggregate!
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📺 Live on @RTE2 and @RTEPlayer https://t.co/2W5kFtUgZE#UECL pic.twitter.com/tMHbQaYFTT— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) August 17, 2023
Derry City 1-0 Tobol Kostanay (1-1 agg)
Two chances in a minute for McMullan, two saves from Konovalov
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📺 Live on @RTE2 and @RTEPlayer https://t.co/2W5kFtUgZE#UECL pic.twitter.com/7oDNYzqpem— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) August 17, 2023
Derry City 1-0 Tobol Kostanay (1-1 agg)
Kavanagh hits a glorious chance to win it wide in the sixth minute of injury time and we will have extra-time.
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📺 Live on @RTE2 and @RTEPlayer https://t.co/2W5kFtUgZE#UECL pic.twitter.com/DizscMriWh— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) August 17, 2023
READ HERE: Orange Order Show Respect To Derry All-Ireland Winners
Neither team could find a break through in extra-time, and a high-quality penalty shoot-out ensued.
The teams were level at four penalties a piece until Ben Doherty stepped up, but his poor low shot was easily saved by Tobol keeper Ivan Konovalov.
However, up stepped Jovan Ilic, and despite a confident stuttered run up, his cuteness got the better of him and he ended up hitting the cross bar.
Both teams knocked in two sudden-death penos a piece before it was keeper Brian Maher's turn. While he took a half-decent peno, low and into the corner, Konovalov produced a superb save.
Pavel Kiriyenko then stepped up to cooly put Tobol through.
Penalty Heartbreak For Derry City
Tobol Kostanay beat Derry City 6-5 on penalties
The Candystripes' dream of the Europa Conference League group stages ends in cruel fashion
📱 Updates: https://t.co/oTZcPZ2kTY
📺 Watch it live on @RTE2 and @RTEPlayer https://t.co/2W5kFtUgZE#UECL pic.twitter.com/vXvxLuR2me— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) August 17, 2023
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