Germany 3-1 Ireland
Despite a valiant effort, Ireland were beaten 3-1 by European champions Germany in this afternoon’s Hockey World League encounter in Valencia.
A late goal sealed the victory for the Germans as Ireland piled on the pressure in the final quarter having grabbed a goal back through Anna O’Flanagan, which reduced the deficit to 2-1 in the latter stages of the game.
Ireland won their opening game of the tournament on Wednesday, beating South Africa 4-1 and the Green Machine brought that confidence in to this afternoon’s clash against the much-fancied Germans.
Ultimately, two goals in quick succession from Anna Schroder and Marie Mavers in the third quarter proved enough for the Germans to grab the points.
And the European champions were forced to defend deep for the final minutes before Lydia Haase nabbed the late third goal to end the Irish hopes.
The Germans were first to cause danger as Cliodhna Sargent was called on to volley a deflected corner shot off the line. Charlotte Stapenhorst then hammered a shot off the frame of the goal before Ireland started to get back into the tie.
Kate Dillon had an effort disallowed when she tipped on to the post from Nikki Evans’s cross, due to an earlier foot infringement. Megan Frazer then slammed a clever corner routine on to the post as the match somehow stayed 0-0 at half-time.
But it did not stay that way for long early in the second half. Schroder popped home from the second phase of a corner from a baseline cross in the 32nd minute.
Mavers then got on the end of a great cross from the right to touch in for 2-0. Ireland rallied, though, and were back in the mix when Dillon and Katie Mullan worked a cross for O’Flanagan to sweep in.
Nike Lorenz kept out a chance for an equaliser before Germany killed off the game in the dying moments when Haase touched in for 3-1.
Speaking afterwards, Shirley McCay, who celebrated her 200th cap, said that her side was “disappointed with the result but proud of the performance”.
She added: “We are disappointed to concede so late on when we had come back into the game. We created enough chances to nick a result, at least a draw. But they are European champions for a reason and they took their chances and were clinical.”
Coach Darren Smith said that the game could have been different had Ireland nicked one or two more of their big chances.
“There were plenty of positives. The girls showed an ability to control the ball under a high press and we created eight to ten really good opportunities. At times, we defended really well and so, a lot of positives, we are looking forward to Saturday.
“It would have been nice to finish a few of the opportunities. I thought we had quite a few against a tough team. I really admire the way they move the ball and their skills. Sometimes that can suck a bit of energy out of you, trying to chase them.”
Ireland are next in action on Saturday (midday Irish time) against world number 29 side Uruguay in their third group game with a top-four place ensuring a quarter-final berth.
Ireland: E Gray, C Sargent, E Smyth, K Mullan, S McCay, M Frazer, A Connery, L Colvin, N Daly, H Matthews, A O’Flanagan.
Subs: Y O’Byrne, N Evans, C Watkins, A McFerran, C Watkins, K Dillon, A Meeke
Germany: K Reynolds, N Lorenz, A Schroder, K Hillmann, N Hasselmann, J Muller-Wieland, H Kruger, J Teschke, L Altenburg, F Hauke, M Mavers.
Subs: Y Frank, A Korth, L Steindor, C Stapenhorst, L Stockel, E Hoffmann, L Haase
