Ireland again lost to Belgium in the second match of their double header at Waterloo Ducks Hockey Club in glorious sunshine early on Sunday afternoon.
As with Saturday's clash, there was plenty of scoring with Belgium taking the win by two clear goals as they did yesterday.
The first phase of the game saw both teams contesting for possession between the 23 meter lines with very few circle penetrations for either side. Ireland gained prominence in the second phase of the half but it was Belgium who were first to register on the scoreboard when a scuffed shot was deflected over keeper Walker’s head in the 31st minute.
Ireland started positively in the second half and deservedly equalised in the 41st minute when John Jackson crossed in from the right and Eugene Magee reacted quickly to volley home the initial rebounded shot from Chris Cargo.
Belgium took the lead once more in the 43rd minute from a bye line run which resulted in the ball being slipped passed the advancing Walker from the far post. They then took a two goal advantage in the 49th minute when they were controversially awarded a penalty corner which they duly dragged home for a 3-1 lead.
Ten minutes later Ireland reduced the deficit once again when Stephen Butler, who today earned his 150th cap, made no mistake with his trade mark drag flick to the top left hand corner. But it was Belgium who sealed the deal when they re-established their two goal advantage with just three minutes left through a reverse stick shot at the top of the circle.
Commenting after the two test series, Ireland coach Paul Revington said 'The weekend proved to be a great benefit for the development of our team as we tested our quality against a top ten ranked team prior to the European trophy.
'Belgium outplayed us in the second half today and we had fewer penetrative opportunities as a result.'
