Ireland have finished fourth at the Women's FIH Hockey Nations Cup after a 3-2 defeat to Japan in the bronze medal match in Valencia, Spain.
Sean Dancer's side went ahead twice but Japan’s cutting edge in front of goal made the difference in the end.
Despite a goalless first half, the bronze medal match was anything but cagey. Japan put pressure on the Irish defence in the outlet, winning plenty of ball in their attacking half but tending to waste possession.
Ireland, by contrast, looked dangerous on the counter, particularly the Carey twins Michelle and Niamh, using their speed and skill on the wings.
Four of the match's five goals were scored in the third quarter as Ireland went in front twice, only for Japan to come back almost immediately on both occasions.
The Japan defence proved difficult to break down but it was captain Katie Mullan who, with the deftest of touches, found a way through five minutes into the second half.
Sarah McAuley hit a hopeful cross from the left side. Her bouncing ball went goalward and Mullan glanced the ball past her defender, slightly changing the line of the ball and wrongfooting the Japan goalkeeper.
The umpire referred to the video umpire, asking for confirmation that it did touch an Ireland stick. There was no advice possible and so the decision went with the on-field umpire – the goal stood and Ireland went one in front.
Japan won their first penalty corner four minutes later, however, and though the initial shot was saved by Liz Murphy in goal, it fell kindly to the unmarked Mai Toriyama who didn’t need a second invitation to bring her side level.
The scores did not remain level for long however as Ireland went straight back down the pitch to win their first corner of the game, and an incredible team passing move saw Niamh Carey tap in a well-executed routine to give Ireland the lead again in the 40th minute.
But not even a minute later, Ireland conceded yet another corner, and Japan showed their own precision with a roofed backhand deflection to draw level again.
Disciplinary issues proved costly for Ireland ultimately with two green cards in the final quarter giving Japan the edge for four minutes of the most difficult part of the game.
With under five minutes to go, a ball from the right bounced through to a Japan player on the post who, under pressure from her defender, put the ball across goal in the air, and Japan captain Yuri Nagai tapped a difficult chance in to give her team the deciding goal.
Ireland withdrew their goalkeeper to play with 11 outfield for the last four minutes of the match, and the Girls in Green pushed hard for an equaliser with chances for Zara Malseed and Naomi Carroll, as well as a couple of penalty corners.
But the Japan defence stood strong to hold out for the bronze medal.
While the result did not go Ireland's way, head coach Sean Dancer was pleased with his team’s progress.
"Obviously we’re very disappointed not to get the third place today," he said.
"We felt we played some really good hockey over the last few days and we were up for the game today but credit to Japan, they were pretty good and they took their opportunities. So, we’re disappointed with today but overall, really pleased with what we’re doing."
Dancer also praised the format of the new tournament for teams that are just outside the elite level.
"I think the Nations Cup is a great innovation by the FIH," he said.
"It allows teams just outside the top 10, like us, to play some quality games and it’s really important for us to play these games under pressure.
"Next year is a really big year for us. It’s all about preparation for Olympic qualifying and that’s going to be the next step. We need to go home from here, have a break, review the things that worked well and work really hard on those little details to get to the next step."
