IRELAND 4 – 1 NAMIBIA
Wednesday, December 3 – Chile: The Ireland U21 Women secured their first three points of their FIH Junior World Cup campaign in Chile as they beat Namibia 4-1. An early brace from Player of the Match Hollai Quinn, and a goal apiece for Milla Fulton and Maia McCourt put Ireland well ahead before Nambia grabbed a consolation goal in the final two minutes.
Ireland began their game with the same intensity they brought to their opening tie against Germany, pressing Namibia high and winning the ball allowing Hollai Quinn to beat her opposite player, find and inch of space, and fire into the bottom corner on her reverse stick to break the deadlock.
Ireland’s pressure continued with a penalty corner that was well defended soon after, and a Mollie Lennon effort saved following a defence-splitting run.
The second quarter began in the same fashion, with Milla Fulton doing superbly to break down the middle of the pitch and slip the ball to Quinn to deflect into the net for her second.
Milla Fulton got a goal of her own soon after, getting on the end of a perfectly weighted ball into the circle from Millie Jerman and firing into the net on her reverse from a tight angle.
Ireland’s attacking dominance continued, this time through Roisin Murphy who drove onto the right baseline and pulled an inviting ball back towards the penalty spot, but it just evaded the Irish attackers.
Katie Herron stepped up next to launch an Irish attack as the side continued to get joy down the right flank, winning a penalty corner, which Namibia defended once again.
Another penalty corner provided Ireland with their final chance of the first half, but the strike from the top of the circle was well blocked. Ireland went into the break with a 3-0 lead.
Ireland picked up from where they left off, with Milla Fulton stinging the palms of the Namibia goalkeeper early in the second half. Namibia got a foothold to the game briefly, getting their first circle penetrations of the game which ended in a penalty corner that Ireland defended well, followed by a good save from Charlie Bowman in the Irish net.
Ireland, however, regained control, launching an attack that saw Katie Herron play a beautiful pass to Maia McCourt who still had work to do to eliminate the Namibia goalkeeper and find the net, as Ireland finished quarter three four goals up.
Ireland dominated possession in the final quarter but shots on goal were less frequent as the Chilean heat imposed itself on the game.
Namibia opened their account at the tournament in the final two minutes as they won a rare penalty corner which was initially defended, before they hit the post and then got to the free ball first to push into the bottom corner.
But the goal proved inconsequential as Ireland grabbed their first win of the tournament with a 4-1 win.
Ireland will face India in their final match in Pool C of the FIH Junior World Cup in Chile on Friday, December 5 at 12:00 Irish Time.