Ireland 0-5 Argentina
Ireland were beaten 5-0 by the second best team in world, Argentina, in their first FIH Hockey Pro League outing in Australia.
Ireland managed the early Argentinian pressure well to defend the edge of their circle against a number of attacking waves.
Green Army goalkeeper Elizabeth Murphy was called into action halfway through the first quarter to charge down an Argentine break.
Ireland had their attacking joys also, working the ball patiently inside the attacking half and working the ball into the circle to both Katie Mullan and Sarah Torrans, but Argentina denied them easy shots on goal.
Argentina won the first penalty corner of the tie in the first minute of the second quarter, an opportunity they seized as Agustina Gorzelany flicked into the net, as the match changed dramatically.
With their tails up Argentina applied further pressure, Murphy denying them at the first time of asking but Ireland failed to clear their lines and a second ball across goal gave Brisa Bruggesser the chance to fire the ball first time past Murphy to make it 2-0.
Ireland once again remained dangerous in attack, with Niamh Carey running superbly down the right flank and making her way into the circle when the deftest of Argentine touches deflected the ball out of the onrushing Hawkshaw’s reach inside the circle.
Argentina ended the first half with a second penalty corner of the tie, but Ireland kept them out to keep the deficit only at two going into the break.
Argentina pinned Ireland back in the second half, deploying their signature high press well. Las Leonas won the ball on halfway and launched a counter-attack that ended in them getting their third, Julieta Jankunas firing past substitute keeper Holly Micklem on her reverse stick.
Holly Micklem did superbly to deny Argentina from a penalty corner late in quarter three, but a second corner two minutes later resulted in Argentina’s fourth as Maria Granatto deflected into the Irish net.
Argentina continued to dominate possession in the final quarter with Ireland enjoying rare attacking opportunities but failing to find the final pass. A fifth eventually came for Argentina with five minutes remaining as Lara Casas divided to the ground to control a crash ball and clicked into the top corner over the onrushing Micklem.
Ireland’s best opportunity of the game came soon after, with Niamh Carey again being Ireland’s most effective threat. Carey moved the ball well along the baseline and found Mikayla Power whose effort from close range was denied by Christina Cosentino.
Ireland are back in action when they face hosts Australia with the match beginning at 8.30am Irish time.
