Spain 2-0 Ireland
Hosts Spain inflicted a 2-0 defeat on Ireland as Sean Dancer's side made a losing start to their Women's FIH Hockey Nations Cup in Valencia.
Spain started the game in electric fashion, winning a penalty corner inside two minutes and slotting home a slick drag flick past Elizabeth Murphy.
After that opening shock, Ireland grew into the match and forward Zara Malseed had a good chance to bring her side level when they won the ball in the press in the sixth minute, but her powerful shot went wide.
Ireland won a penalty corner with four seconds left on the clock in the first quarter and Spain opted not to send out a flyer. An Ireland runner was judged to have obstructed in the circle, and so the chance was squandered as a free out was awarded to Spain.
The second quarter went much the way of the first, with Spain winning an early penalty corner which Ireland dealt with well on this occasion. Then Malseed had another chance to level things up when she shot on the reverse and drew a save by the Spanish keeper.
Murphy made some important saves, showing confidence while deputising for Ireland’s usual first-choice keeper Ayeisha McFerran.
Another penalty corner for Spain was shot wide and it remained 1-0 to Spain at half-time despite some late Ireland pressure.
Spain began the second half just how they began the first, winning a penalty corner and scoring with devastating precision. A sweep from the left of the circle was deflected on the backhand into the roof of the net, showing why Spain look to win corners whenever they are in the opposition's circle, and that second goal knocked the stuffing out of Ireland.
Dancer’s charges kept pushing, though, with Christina Hamill and Sarah Hawkshaw making inroads, and a well-won corner in the 40th minute was the reward. Roisin Upton dragged low to the left, but Spain saved well.
Ireland had much of the possession and maintained the pressure on Spain, who marked and defended tightly, absorbing everything the green machine threw at them.
In the final quarter, Spain played the sidelines well and opened Ireland up as they tried to push for goals, Upton foraying forward with her characteristic, mazy runs.
Spain were able to sit deep when defending their two-goal buffer and they gave Ireland no space to attack into as large amounts of possession came to nothing.
Today’s loss means Ireland likely need to win their remaining two pool matches against Italy and Korea to finish in the top two of their group to progress to the semi-finals later in the week.
