Australia 6 – 1 Ireland
Tuesday, June 17 – Antwerp: The Ireland Men’s Hockey Team suffered defeat at the hands of World #5 and reigning FIH Pro League champions Australia today in their first of two encounters in Antwerp. Following a tight first half, three rapid fire goals in the third quarter saw Australia pull away, before a final goal in the closing stages put the game well out of reach. Ireland’ Johnny McKee scored Ireland’s only goal to provide a 6:1 result in Australia’s favour.
Australia set out their stall early on, pressing Ireland high and winning a penalty corner inside the first 3 minutes. Jeremy Hayward was the go-to option, making no mistake in flicking the ball past Luke Roleston to break the deadlock.
Australia continued to apply the pressure, a ball across goal providing Blake Govers the chance to double Australia. A number of shots tested Luke Roleston in the Irish net, but the keep was alive to each to keep the scoreline at 1-0.
Ireland responded, continuing their clinical finishing from their previous game. Johnny McKee stepped forward in the press to win the ball and release Banbridge Peter Brown down the right flank. Brown weaved his way into the circle, offloaded to Ben Walker who found McKee free to flick into the top corner, drawing Ireland level going into the end of the first quarter.
The intensity carried into the second quarter, this time with attacking phases coming early for both teams. It was Australia’s turn to put their press to work, picking the pocket of Louis Rowe, and working the ball into the circle. The initial chance was stopped but a stick tackle on Nathan Ephraums inside the circle resulted in a penalty stroke, which Blake Govers dispatched to restore Australia’s lead.
Australia asked further questions of Ireland throughout the second quarter, but Ireland’s defence provided the answers to go into the break trailing by just a single goal.
The second half began and the first ended, with Australia winning the ball in the press and forcing Luke Roleston into three saves to deny Australia. Lee Cole was called upon a few minutes later to make a late tackle and a block.
Cooper Burns eventually made use of the Hockeyroos attacking options, pull the ball off the baseline onto his reverse stick and lifting over the onrushing Roleston to score Australia’s third.
Australia added a fourth and fifth in quick succession before the end of the third quarter, the first coming from a penalty corner which Connar Otterbach deflected into the roof of the net, followed by a Jack Welch strike following a defensive error from Ireland.
A positive start to the final quarter for Ireland saw Johnny McKee win a penalty corner, Ireland’s first of the game. Lee Cole flicked at goal but was denied by Australia substitute goalkeeper Jed Snowden. Luke Witherow followed up with an incisive run off the right sideline to get a shot away, but Ireland were again denied. Louis Rowe tested Snowden for a third time is as many minutes, but Snowden was again alert to the close-range effort.
Australia found their rhythm again, with a number of clear chances wide of the mark. A second for Blake Govers and a sixth for Australia provided the final moment of the game, Australia intercepting the ball from the Irish outlet and breaking quickly to create the chance.
Speaking after the game, Ireland captain Lee Cole said:
“I think we struggled to keep up with the pace in the second half, and I think we went a little bit flat and into our shells which is never a good thing to do against Australia.
“They are a world class outfit, they have always been. I think everyone in this league is and that’s the real challenge. Stringing performances together is where we need to improve.
Speaking ahead of Ireland’s second encounter with Australia tomorrow, Cole said:
“We have another chance tomorrow to bounce back. In an ideal world we don’t bounce back, we get one good performance and back it up with another.
That is the plan now, a big game tomorrow and then back it up with two good performances in our final games over the weekend.”
Ireland will play Australia again tomorrow, June 18 at 14:30 Irish time. The game will be available to watch live on the TG4 Player.