Ireland started their Olympic qualifying pool A with a defiant ‘back to the wall’ performance against 2023 European silver medalists and world number four Belgium.
Charlotte Engelbert forced a penalty corner after just 20 seconds. This was the first of nine corners awarded against Ireland in the first half.
But Ireland’s defense, led by Lena Neal, Hannah McLaughlin and Roisin Upton, and backed by Aisha McFerren, who was named player of the match, was not just in the first quarter, but also in the second and third quarters. I was able to hold out.
Ireland were up against this for most of the first half. Halftime arrived scoreless. McFerren made several saves, including a double save from a penalty corner, to keep Ireland in the match.
Ireland had a fair amount of possession in the third quarter, but at times seemed unable to create too many clear chances to turn the ball over.
Ireland were not awarded their first penalty corner until the 40th minute, but Belgian substitute goalkeeper Elode Picard was unfazed by both Chloe Watkins’ shot and Beth Harper’s attempted rebound. There wasn’t.
Ireland made good use of their video introductions early in the game, twice overturning penalty corner wins in the process.
Neither team seemed able to take advantage of acquiring additional players. Belgium gave one player a green card in the 34th minute, while Ireland gave three players green cards at different stages of the second quarter.
The drama didn’t end there. With six seconds remaining, Belgium claimed the ball hit Ireland’s leg inside the semicircle and asked for a video inquiry.
The video inquiry was inconclusive, so Belgium had to face a free out and lost the video inquiry. Shortly after, the final sounded and the score remained the same: Ireland 0 Belgium 0 at the first whistle.
It should be seen as a bonus at this stage, but it’s a great start and needs to be strongly followed up with a win against Ukraine on Monday morning.
After that, we have the final pool match against Japan, and it’s certainly a very good start to get points against the favorites before the tournament, but we still have to follow up after that.
sean dancer The Irish national team head coach said this after the match. “Belgium dominated the game, especially in the first half, and are a great team. But in the third quarter they got a little better and created some chances. Ireland performed well in the second half.”
The final match of the day was the second Pool A match between South Korea and Ukraine. In other matches in Pool A, Great Britain defeated Canada 2-0 and Spain defeated Malaysia 7-0.
Ireland: Aisha McFerren, Bethany Harper, Elena Neal, Hannah McLaughlin, Katie McKee, Sarah Hawkshaw, Charlotte Beggs, Katie Mullan (c), Deirdre Duke, Naomi Carroll Subwoofer used: Niamh Carey (3 minutes), Chloe Watkins (3 minutes), Sarah McCauley (4 minutes), Michelle Carey (7 minutes), Sarah Torrance (7 minutes), Roisin Upton (7 minutes)
Belgium: Aisling Dauge, Justine Lacile, Alix Gernier, Judith Vandermeiren, Emma Pouvres, Louise Versabel, Vanessa Brockmans, Michel Struijk, Hélène Brasseur, Stéphanie Vandenboer, Charlotte Engelbert, Subwoofer used: Elodie Picard (GK) [31 mins], Ambre Ballengen (3 minutes), Barbara Nehlen, Camille Bellis (4 minutes), Liane Hillewaert (5 minutes). Abi Ray (5 minutes)