Wales had been the stronger of the two sides over 120 minutes of goalless action but would fall short in the worst possible way as the match went to spot-kicks.
Leeds United’s former Swansea City forward Dan James seeing his decisive fifth penalty saved by Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny after all four penalties from either side had been successful. The Juventus shot-stoppers save dumping Wales out of the competition and send the Poles to the European Championship finals in Germany come June.
Wales had come the closest to winning the tie in normal time with captain Ben Davies’ first-half header ruled out for offside by VAR, whilst Kieffer Moore would see his towering header saved spectacularly by Szczęsny after the break.
Centre-back Chris Mepham was sent off after receiving a second yellow card in the final minute of extra time, but Page’s side held on for penalties.
It would be though a desperately painful way for Page and his players to lose, beaten by a Poland side who failed to register a single shot on target during the entire contest.
“It is a cruel game and that is what I have said to the players,” said Page. “We were one kick away from qualifying and it hurts.
“I thought we were the better team. I’ve just said to the group, ‘look how far we have come – we are that disappointed we have not qualified for a major tournament’.
“They [Poland] are a good team and we made them look average. They didn’t have a shot on target.”
Page offered sympathy to James and praised his squad for their efforts throughout the qualifying campaign.
“We will rally round DJ [Dan James],” continued Page. “He had the bravery to take that penalty.
“I’m just so proud of that group and the nation should be proud of them. They have put a shift and some in tonight to try to get us there.
“We will be bigger and stronger for going through this horrible experience. We are going somewhere. There is something good happening with this group.
“If we get our values right, with and without the ball, we will be a force to be reckoned with.
“They are so disappointed but they are hungry for it. We were nearly there, one kick away. There is a lot more to come.”
[Lead image: Football Association of Wales]
