Belgium 2-3 Ireland
Ireland picked up their first win in the 2024/25 Men's FIH Pro League as they got the better of world number two-ranked Belgium in Antwerp.
A penalty stroke save from Jaime Carr kept Ireland in the game in the first half, before a Louis Rowe goal from open play and a brace of penalty corners from Lee Cole put Ireland out of reach, having lost 5-1 to the same opposition on Saturday in the first of their six games in the Belgian city.
Ireland took the game to Belgium in the early stages but the hosts would soon take control, camping themselves inside the Irish defensive half as they looked to create their first chance of the game.
A penalty corner would provide that chance after seven minutes, which forced a routine stop from Fergus Gibson on the goal-line, following an Alexander Hendrikx flick.
A rare mistake at the back with two minutes remaining in the first quarter put Ben Ryder under pressure, his tackle resulting in a penalty stroke. Hendrikx stepped up to face Gantoise team-mate Carr but the Irish goalkeeper guessed correctly to save his second penalty stroke in as many games to keep the scores level.
The biggest chance of the game came eight minutes into the second quarter when a penalty corner from Tom Boon called Kyle Marshall into action to save on the goal-line, followed by Carr who saved from the follow-up.
Ireland opted to refer, asking if the ball crossed the line during Carr’s save, but the video umpire verified that it didn’t, and Belgium lost their referral.
Ireland continued to be pinned back by Belgium, unable to find a way into their opposition’s half. The pressure would eventually result in a penalty corner for Belgium which Carr was again alert for and he made a smart double save as the sides went into half-time scoreless.
Ireland started the second half with the same intensity as they began the game, sensing the opportunity that the current scoreline afforded. A deadly run down the right-hand side from Fergus Gibson saw him get past a handful of opposition players and squeeze a ball into Louis Rowe who smashed past Simon Vandenbroucke to break the deadlock.
Belgium had a response a few minutes later from penalty corners, the first stopped by first runner Matthew Nelson who bravely put his body on the line, followed by another save from the outstanding Carr and clearance from Peter McKibbin.
Ireland continued to look dangerous on the counter, first launching an attack down the right which Belgium snuffed out, followed by a run from Sean Murray which resulted in a penalty corner. Ireland went direct from the penalty corner through Lee Cole whose flick was too powerful for Vandenbroucke, doubling Ireland’s lead with two minutes remaining in quarter three.
Belgium began the final quarter with a real purpose, again calling Carr into action after two minutes. The home side would eventually get their goal, Nicolas De Kerpel beating a player and shooting past Carr from the right side of the circle. Ireland were given a perfect period to regain their composure, when goalscorer De Kerpel was given a green card for dissent, following repeated infringements from the Belgians.
The pressure continued to come from Belgium, with Carr denying Boon on his reverse stick and the Irish defenders having to defend bravely to maintain their lead.
A rapid counter-attack from Ireland with just over two minutes remaining ended with Matthew Nelson winning a penalty corner, providing them an opportunity to restore their lead and run down the clock. Cole stepped up once again and flicked to the opposite post to almost ensure the win for Ireland.
Belgium pulled their goalkeeper with two minutes remaining, allowing them to score right on the hooter, Thomas Crols getting a consolation for Belgium.
Ireland will next face Australia in back-to-back fixtures on Tuesday and Wednesday.
