Ireland women lose to Spain on penalties in Olympic qualifier – Irish Times

Ireland suffered a disappointing penalty shoot-out loss to Spain in Valencia in the Olympic qualifying tournament on Thursday afternoon – but has a chance to qualify for Saturday’s third-place play-off in Paris this summer against either Belgium or Great Britain. remains – off (2.30pm Irish time).

Against a team ranked eighth in the world, five places above Ireland, Sean Dancer’s side produced another outstanding defensive display, with the match ending scoreless, although Spain conceded three of their penalties. Ireland made 0 shots and qualified.

With so much money at stake, the game was predictably nerve-wracking, but Ireland had the upper hand in the opening two quarters in terms of pressure, with Spain’s Clara Perez scoring both goals. He was a busy keeper.

Katie Mullan created an early chance but her reverse shot went just wide of the left post. Later, during a melee in the circle, Perez made a save from Sarah Hawkshaw when her shot hit a defender’s stick. Perez denied Mullan twice in the second quarter, and Michelle Carey and Hawkshaw also had close attempts to score. However, Spain also produced some dangerous moments, with Blanca Pérez’s shot narrowly missing the left post and Julia Strappat sending the ball across the face of the goal, but just missing the outstretched stick of Spain. .

The one big disappointment for Ireland was that Perez effortlessly won three penalty corners, only to miss each time. He will need to be more clinical on Saturday.

The hosts were more active after half-time but were unable to find a way through the Irish defense, where Hannah McLoughlin, Lena Neal and Roisin Upton were once again excellent. And after overcoming Spanish pressure, it was Ireland who created the clearest chances in the third quarter. Niamh Carey completed a great run past Deirdre Duke in the circle and the Old Alexandra forward turned and fired a powerful shot towards goal which was saved by Perez. Also.

The final quarter was a closely contested 15 minutes for Ireland, but Spain increased the pressure again and came close to snatching a winner, twice with the ball narrowly evading the Spanish attackers as it crossed the goal. It looked like they had earned the first penalty corner of the game with seven minutes remaining, but the video referee ruled that Hawkshaw had made a clean tackle on Lucia Jimenez and the award was rescinded.

The heart would have skipped a few more beats when Belen Iglesias touched a pass from Jimenez inches from the right post with 46 seconds left. Spain appealed for a corner kick, claiming that Hawkshaw had pushed one of their attackers, but the appeal was rejected.

And then there was the penalty shootout. Aisha McFerran, the Larne woman who scored the goal as Ireland lost to China on penalties in 2015 to miss out on Olympic qualification, has fondest memories of her time with them at the Valencia venue. It would be.

And after saving Lara Vidosa’s first shot for Spain, McFerran was once again unlucky. Jimenez, Strappato and Maria López all scored with great lobs, all ahead of her, but Ireland took no joy in her effort and Perez made the save. Upton, Hawkshaw, McLoughlin.

The second bite of the qualifying cherry will take place on Saturday, when Ireland will face either top seed Belgium, who drew 0-0 in their pool match, or defending Olympic bronze medalists Great Britain, who play on Thursday. Second semi-final match. Which side to defeat will be a big challenge.

Spain will also be in between the Irish for a place in the final, with the two teams facing off at 11.30am on Friday morning. The same formula applies. If Ireland win, they will go to Paris. If they lose, they will have another chance to play either Belgium or South Korea in Sunday’s third-place match.

Ireland: A. McFerran, R. Upton, H. McLaughlin, E. Curran, B. Harper, S. Hawkshaw, C. Beggs, K. McKee, N. Carey, K. Mullan, N. Carroll. Subs: S. McCauley, M. Carey, S. Torrance, E. Neil, C. Watkins, D. Duke.

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