Ireland 1-1 Spain
Ireland's World Cup qualification hopes remain on hold as Spain kept them at arm’s length, denying them the win they needed to reach the EuroHockey Championship semi-finals for the first time in Amstelveen.
Roisin Upton's early goal had Ireland flying high but a Spanish equaliser from Begona Garcia meant honours even and, ultimately, Sean Dancer's side miss out on the semis by a single goal on goal difference.
The two sides – ranked seventh and eighth in the world – have been the most regular sparring partners on the world stage, both rising rapidly in the rankings. Ireland won the last big date at the 2018 World Cup semi-final after a penalty shootout, but today it was the Spaniards who got to celebrate after the 1-1 draw.
The Green Army got off to a dream start with Naomi Carroll tearing down the right channel to draw a penalty corner. Her Catholic Institute club mate duly finished off the set piece, a bullet drag-flick into the bottom corner.
Roisín Upton puts @IreWomenHockey ahead against Spain - Live on @RTE2 @RTEplayer now https://t.co/avVGCCINP7 #RTESport pic.twitter.com/oK7lxJNDvd
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) June 9, 2021
Spain – bronze medalists at the World Cup and 2019 Euros – are on a similar upward curve like Ireland and quickly showed their wares, picking off accurate long-range passes to press Ireland back.
From their first corner, they were back on terms in the 12th minute. It was a slick piece of work, a stepover gifting Maria Lopez time to pick out Begoña Garcia at the injector’s spot and she swept home from close range.
Garcia strikes to level the match with brilliant move - Live on @RTE2 and @RTEplayer now #RTESport https://t.co/avVGCCINP7 pic.twitter.com/wB5qQi0n2w
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) June 9, 2021
It became an absorbing contest after that with Spain enjoying the majority of the ball and looking to press on while Ireland went into a counter-attack mode.
It meant precious few chances between the second and third quarters, with the Green Army not overly troubled during spells down to 10 players to a couple of green cards, likewise Spain when Lucia Jimenez went to the sin-bin.
Ayeisha McFerran got a strong stick to deny Lola Riera just before the end of the third quarter, keeping the tie very much up in the air for a high octane final 15 minutes.
Super save from McFerran - @Ayeeishaa keeps Ireland in the hunt - Live on @RTE2 and @RTEplayer now #RTESport https://t.co/avVGCCINP7 pic.twitter.com/i0NXxpEXW0
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) June 9, 2021
Lopez’s heavily deflected shot clattered off the post and fell invitingly for Hawkshaw to start a brilliant counter which culminated in Anna O’Flanagan earning Ireland’s second corner.
Shirley McCay’s shot, though, was well dealt with by the Spanish defence.
Spain, who only required a draw, continued to push forward, keeping Ireland at arm’s length as Upton produced some heroics to clean up a huge Spanish chance while McFerran swept up three more chances.
That golden opportunity never accrued for Ireland and means they will now contest Pool C where four teams will battle it out for the one remaining World Cup spot from this competition.
It does mean, however, the Green Army will have to play a European qualifier in 2022 if they are to compete on this stage again in 2023.
Ireland miss out on #EHC2021 semi-finals but there's still plenty to play for #RTESport pic.twitter.com/AvGILavdBK
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) June 9, 2021
Ireland: A McFerran, R Upton, N Evans, K Mullan, S McCay, L Tice, N Carroll, H McLoughlin, L Holden, S Hawkshaw, A O'Flanagan
Subs: M Carey, M Frazer, C Watkins, N Daly, H Matthews, D Duke, L Murphy
Spain: M Ruiz, C Petchame, M Lopez, B Iglesias, L Riera, J Pons, B Garcia, X Gine, B Perez, G Oliva, L Jimenez
Subs: L Barrios, B Bonastre, C Mejias, A Torres-Quevedo, A Magaz, P Alvarez, M Garcia
Umpires: L Delforge (BEL), I Amorosini (ITA)
