Ireland set up semi final opportunity

Ireland’s (Women) Hockey Team secured a 3-2 victory over Belarus in a must win game at the European Hockey Championships yesterday in Boom, Belgium.

The Electric Ireland team got off to an early start when skipper Speers slotted home after O’Flanagan laid off a beautiful pass from McCay timing to perfection to set up Speers to blast the ball home for a 1-0 lead.  Ireland had chances a plenty in the first half to extend their lead including penalty corners and some open play attacks but the conversions were shy in coming forward and Ireland headed for the break with just a one goal lead.

Belarus were first out the traps for the second 35 when Stsifukina found space in the Irish 25 for a shot on goal but her effort went wide of the post leaving Ireland’s lead intact. Ireland were back defending minutes later when Belarus lined up for a short corner but the on target shot was too high giving Ireland the hit out. But on the 45 minute mark Belarus converted when Shyntar flicked up at close range to level the sides.

Ireland managed to restore their lead taking advantage of Belarus having a player sin binned when a goal mouth scramble gave Speers the chance to secure her brace slotting home for a 2-1 lead. Ireland improved their situation once again in the 63rd minute when a long range pass from Daly picked out a lone standing Lisa Jacob who wrong footed the keeper and slotted home to make it 3-1.

Just minutes later Belarus closed in once again with a penalty corner chance which Ireland defended well but the ensuing goal mouth scramble gave Syrayezhka the chance for a reverse stick flick at close range to make it 3-2.With only four minutes on the clock Ireland stayed calm working the clock down to ensure a 3-2 victory over Belarus.

Ireland will now have a rest day before their final pool stage match against hosts Belgium on Tuesday where they will be in pursuit of a semi-final spot.

Speaking after the game Coach Darren Smith was unsurprisingly happy with the three points ” It was great to get the three points we worked hard although we were a bit tentative at times and if you take that approach against Belarus you end up in a bit of a scrap. But we are pleased overall and it was a relief to secure the three points.”

Commenting on the upcoming match against Belgium Smith said “Tuesday will be a fantastic match with a full house in a fantastic stadium. We are looking forward to the game and putting Belgium under pressure.”

 


 

Ireland 0-6 Netherlands (Women – European Hockey Championships)

Electric Ireland’s Irish Womens team played The Netherlands, world number 1’s, in their opening match of the women’s European Hockey Championships this evening, taking place in Belgium. Despite keeping the score line close for 50 minutes a flood of Dutch goals in the final 20 saw Ireland on the wrong side of a 6-0 scoreline.
Ireland felt the Dutch pressure early on when Derkx won a corner in the third minute but Ireland’s most experienced player Nikki Symmons was on form to bat it off the line keeping Ireland out of trouble.
Ireland continued to defend well denying the Dutch early goals from their attacking efforts, including five penalty corners, but eventually they found a way through the deadlock when Paumen roofed her sides sixth penalty corner effort to take the goal lead in the 27th minute. Ireland showed composure and kept the defence clean, including a top drawer helmet save from Gray in goals to close out the half trailing just one goal behind the Dutch.
Fresh from the break Ireland showed keeness to attack with young Naomi Carroll bouncing through to the Dutch circle but she was closed out before any meaningful shot was taken. Ireland were back under pressure moments later but a cool Sargent plucked a near certain Dutch goal off the line. Ireland put in a series of brave tackles to deny the Dutch onslaught but the constant Dutch attack finally paid dividends when Hoog popped home from close range in an effort that came off O’Flynns face for a 2-0 lead.
Ireland must have felt penned inside their own 25 at times as the Dutch found attacking rhythm leading to a further four goals, Paumen in the 58th after an exchange with Hoog tipping in the rebound from Gray’s initial save. For the fourth Gray did well to save from a loose Dutch player but Male was on hand to mop up and convert. Van Den Heuvel was on hand for the 5th goal after an Irish turnover before Hoog showed serious class squeezing home a reverse shot from the tightest of angles.
Commenting after the game Coach Darren Smith was upbeat “There was a lot to like about the first half where I thought we were very competitive and defended quite well. Through the second half we got a little bit tired which was an accumulation of the defensive work we were doing and we lost a couple of players off the rotation. Both our players (Alex Speers and Shirley McCay) will be back tomorrow”
Ireland will now have their eyes firmly set on tomorrow’s must win game against Belarus 3pm Irish Time. (Other Group Result Pool A: Belgium 5-1 Belarus)

 

Scroll to Top