Saturday, August 9 – Monchengladbach: Two Dutch goals were enough to see the World #1 and reigning champions secure the three points against Ireland in the Women’s EuroHockey Championship opener. An immense effort from the IRL Women kept the Dutch at bay, with Ireland goalkeeper Elizabeth Murphy starring between the sticks.
Ireland began the encounter with real purpose and bravery, deploying a high press as they sought to pin the Dutch back. The Netherlands, however, responded well, winning their first penalty corner of the tie which Sarah Torrans ran down well to deny Yibbi Jansen.
Ireland’s energy continued to serve them well, with turnovers allowing both Katie McKee and Katie Mullan to test their opposite numbers on the break, but the Dutch were well set to deny Ireland passage into their circle.
The Netherlands found a rare inch of space down Ireland’s left flank in the eighth minute, Lisa Post taking a shot on her reverse that cannoned off Elizabeth Murphy in the Irish net and fell to Joosje Burg on the back post to turn in.
A second penalty corner came the Netherlands’ way with just over two minutes remaining, which Murphy expertly palmed away to keep the scoring at 1-0.
Ireland continued to frustrate the Dutch in the second quarter, matching them across the pitch to limit their ability to generate meaningful chances. A rare error at the back gave Captain Pien Sanders a chance at goal from a tight angle, but the ball went high and wide to keep the score at 1-0.
With two minutes remaining in the half the Netherlands worked the ball well down the left, winning a penalty corner. Yibbi Jansen was once again the go-to option for a dragflick, but Sarah Torrans performed her defensive duties well yet again to charge down the effort.
The Netherlands made a bright start to the second half, flashing a ball past the back post, then winning a penalty corner that Murphy was once again on hand to save.
Ireland responded well with Roisin Upton crashing the ball into the circle after a good passage of possession to win Ireland’s first penalty corner. The injection was slightly off target, forcing Christina Hamill to attempt a shot which she failed to connect with.
The Netherlands won their second penalty corner of the second half just a few minutes later when Roisin Upton was harshly penalised at the edge of the circle as she attempted to battle for the ball. Yibbi Jansen’s draglick found the back of the net to extend the Netherlands’ lead to 2-0.
Ireland’s work rate remained steadfast despite the second goal, eventually returning opportunities at goal in the closing minutes of the third quarter. Sarah Hawkshaw effort on goal forced a save from Dutch goalkeeper Anne Veenendaal, before Mikayla Power won the ball in the press and released Katie Mullan in the circle to test Veenendaal once again.
A second penalty corner for Ireland gave them a great opportunity early in the final quarter to reduce the deficit, but Hannah McLoughlin striking from the top of the circle was well save by Veenendaal. Murphy was called into action down the other end soon after to deny the Netherlands’ Frederique Matla her side’s third from a penalty corner.
A late chance flashed past the back past for the Dutch, but they failed to connect, and the game ended 2-0.
Speaking after the match, Captain Sarah Hawkshaw said:
“The Dutch are the best in the world, and they’re the best in the world for a reason. But I am just so proud of the team for the defensive effort. To run down so many penalty corner attacks from one of the World’s best dragflickers; I’m just so proud.”
Speaking ahead of Ireland’s next game against France on Monday, Hawkshaw said:
“We approach that game no different to any other. We have a solid defence and we want to maintain that. We want to get more out of opportunities on the ball, be more patient and build in attack, and grow into the game a little bit more.”
Ireland will face France in their second pool stage match on Monday, August 11 at 14:45 Irish Time. The game will be available to watch live on RTE 2 in the Republic of Ireland and on EuroHockeyTV.org in Northern Ireland.