Ireland 2-4 Spain
Two late goals in the final quarter proved the difference as Ireland fell to a 4-2 loss to Spain in their penultimate FIH Pro League match.
Ireland led on two occasions, with Johnny McKee opening the scoring after just three minutes and Lee Cole restoring Ireland’s lead from the spot in the second quarter.
However, a trio of goals in the final quarter, a brace from Nicolas Alvarez and a penalty corner from Pepe Cunill, saw Spain secure the win with a late comeback.
Ireland started well. With their first attack of the game, Jeremy Duncan drove down the left, playing the ball into McKee who deflected past Rafael Revilla inside three minutes.
Spain’s response was swift, driving into the Irish half from the restart.
They forced a save from Luke Rolleston and found the back of the net from the resulting scramble, but the goal was chalked off by the video umpire.
Duncan had a shot on goal with Ireland’s next entry into the Spanish half, but his reverse stick shot was wide of the post. Spain threatened again immediately after, picking the Irish pocket and slapping the ball just wide of the post.
A late penalty corner in the first quarter for Spain gave them a chance and Bruno Avila took full advantage.
Spain’s intensity continued into the second quarter, where they found a way into the Irish circle from the restart, but Ireland scrambled well to clear. Roleston was called into action a few minutes later, his save falling to Nicolas on the back post. With the goal gaping, Alvarez struck at goal, but Adam McAllister was on hand to block the shot.
Back-to-back penalty corners for Spain forced Ireland to defend, blocking both efforts as Ireland continued to weather the storm.
A break away from Ben Nelson offered Ireland a chance to attack, forcing a save from Revilla. From the long corner, McKee won a penalty corner which Spain saved. Another counter-attack soon after ended in a penalty stroke, Louis Rowe being shoved in the back inside the circle. Cole stepped up to calmly slot the stroke into the net and restore Ireland’s lead just before half-time.
A late attack from Spain provided one of the few chances of the third quarter, with Jaime Carr, who replaced Roleston in the Irish net, alive to the threat to clear.
Spain made an ideal start to the final quarter, Alvarez capitalising on a moment of luck to drive down the right flank and squeeze the ball into the Irish net from a tight angle.
Ireland continued to absorb pressure, with a yellow card for Peter Brown meaning Ireland had to do it a player down.
A breakaway from Nelson yet again saw him go one on one, taking the ball around Revilla and drawing contact from the keeper. The ball went wide but Ireland used their referral believing the contact was enough to warrant a second penalty stroke. The video umpire didn’t agree, and Ireland lost their referral.
A chance from nothing for Spain in the final three minutes saw them go a goal up, a hopeful ball into the circle evading the Irish defenders and Alvarez getting a deft touch to take it past Carr. A penalty corner a minute late put the game to bed, Cunill flicking into the net.
Ireland will again play Spain in their final FIH Pro League on Sunday at 9.30am Irish time.
