IRL Men hit for seven against clinical Spain in FIH Pro League Game 7
IRL Men hit for seven against clinical Spain in FIH Pro League Game 7
BIRSA MUNDA INTERNATIONAL HOCKEY STADIUM, RORKELA INDIA
SPAIN 7 IRELAND 0
Spain converted their chances clinically, in the first half and capitalized on some ill discipline in the second half and ended up winning the game 7- 0.
Ireland tried to get off to a more positive start. Despite conceding a long corner to Spain in the first minute, they responded when Ben Walker attacked the Spanish semi-circle a minute later winning the first penalty corner of the match. This produced another penalty corner for Ireland from which Shane O’Donoghue’s effort was saved by Spanish goalkeeper Luiz Calzado. However, despite this good start Ireland fell behind soon after. Spain’s José Bastera scored a minute later from open play. They increased their advantage when Alvaro Iglesias got a second goal in the 13th minute, and it remained 2-0 at the end of the first quarter.
Ireland were awarded a penalty corner at the start of the second quarter. Luiz Calzado saved from Shane O’Donoghue. Menini was green carded for Spain in the 25th minute but Ireland were unable to make the player advantage count. Charlie Rowe was then green carded in the 28th minute meaning Ireland finished the first half shorthanded.
Spain resumed strongly and went 3-0 ahead through Alvaro Iglesias getting his second of the match in the 31st minute. Eduard Ignacio-Simo scored from open play in the 35th minute to make it 4-0. Spain had two back-to-back penalty corners and Borja Cavalle converted the second in the 47th minute to make it 5-0. Alvaro Iglesias completed his hat-trick to make it 6-0 in the 50th minute. Marc Reyne made it 7-0 from open play in the 51st minute. Lee Cole used his cricketing skills to prevent an Eighth goal being scored in the 58th minute. The Ireland team have a little over 24 hours to get over this defeat ahead of their final game of the India phase of the FIH Pro League when they take on the hosts tomorrow in front of a sold-out stadium in Rourkela.
After the match Mark Tumilty Ireland Head Coach said:
“I thought we started the game well and created chances, unfortunately we were unable to capitalise on any of those. Spain were very clinical in 1st half. Our 2nd half performance was very disappointing. Individual errors and ill-discipline were punished in a ruthless manner by Spain. It is a real test of character for the group against India tomorrow.”
SPAIN: Luiz Calzado (GK), Alejandro Gaspar, Xavier Gispert, Marc Recasens, Alvaro Iglesias, José Bastera, Joaquin Menini, Ignacio Rodriguez, Eduard De Ignacio-Simo, Gerard Clapes, Borja Lacalle. SUBS USED: Enrique Gonzalez (3 mins), Marc Reyne (3 mins), Marc Miralles (c) (5 mins), Pepe Cunill )3 mins], Bruno Font (5 mins), Rafael Vilallonga (5 mins)
IRELAND: Jamie Carr (GK), Tim Cross, John McKee (c), Jonathan Lynch, Shane O’Donoghue, Peter McKibbin, Michael Robson(c), Ben Walker, Peter Brown, Lee Cole, Conor Empey SUBS USED: Charlie Rowe (5 mins), Kevin O’Dea (7 mins), Jeremy Duncan (4 mins), Sam Hyland, (5 mins), Ben Johnson (4 mins), Nicholas Page (4 mins)
