FIH Pro League: Australia 5-0 Ireland – Ireland lost 2 of 2 games

Ireland lost 5-0 to Australia in the second match of the FIH Pro League in India.

For Australia, Kai Willott scored twice, while Tom Craig, Jeremy Hayward and Nathan Ephraims scored in a dominant performance.

Ireland had chances but could not find the back of Australia’s net.

It was another tough afternoon for the Irish, who are making their first appearance in the competition after losing 5-1 to the Netherlands on Saturday.

Ireland head coach Mark Tumilty said: “This game was a good learning experience for us. We were let down in some fundamental areas.”

“At this level, even the slightest mistake is punishable. When you get an opportunity, you have to be clinical and take it.”

The first quarter of the match was scoreless as Ireland looked relaxed defensively, but Australia showed their class difference with three goals in the second quarter.

The scoring began in the 17th minute after a ball that entered the Irish circle hit the sticks and bounced off. Tom Craig was quickest to react, turning the ball back in the air and past goalkeeper James Milliken.

Ireland, who have qualified for this summer’s Paris Olympics, forced the first penalty corner of the game against their will, but Shane O’Donoghue’s shot was saved by Andrew Charter.

A few minutes later, from the first penalty corner, Jeremy Hayward dragged the ball into the corner of the goal.

Ireland’s Tim Cross forced Charter to make a save and O’Donoghue fired a penalty corner just wide of the target, but as the chance awaited, Australia’s Kai Willott made a fine team move to make it 3-3. It was set to 0.

The third quarter was a largely even affair in terms of possession, but further moments of quality from the Australians extended their lead.

Nathan Efraums had time to take an overhead in the circle and, without any Irish pressure, turned and fired the ball past Jamie Kerr, who replaced Milliken.

Ireland dominated possession for the final 15 minutes, with Charter again called upon to save from O’Donoghue’s penalty corner. When the ball broke to Sean Murray, his reverse stick attempt was kicked aside by the goalkeeper.

Peter McKibbin’s ball into the circle was then deflected goalwards by Conor Empey, but the Australian stopper again made an instinctive save.

However, Australia only penetrated Ireland’s territory once before Willott scored their second goal and added a fifth.

“We intend to rotate the team as we progress through this phase in Bhunaneshwar and Rourkela, and the five players who did not feature today will be considered again to start against Spain on Thursday,” Tumilti said.