Argentina, December 15: Ireland endured their heaviest defeat in the FIH Pro League to date as they played England for the second time in Argentina. Having drawn with this morning’s opposition just three days prior, hopes were high entering this tie. However, early goals for England created an impossible task for Ireland, with England eventually running out as 8-0 victors in Argentina.
England built a commanding lead in the opening quarter. An early green card for Conor Empey gave England a player advantage, allowing them to stretch the Irish defence and win two quick corners, both of which they converted. They grabbed a third with just three seconds remaining on the clock to extend their lead to three in the first quarter.
The second quarter started much the same, England winning a fortunate corner from a baseline drive, which they converted to get their fourth, and maintain a 100% conversion rate from their set piece.
Ireland looked to have found a bit of a foothold in the game after the fourth goal, beginning to re-find their defensive structure and create chances of their own, and the scoreline remained 4-0 going into the half-time break.
However, England showed no sign of taking their foot off the gas in the second half, pressing Ireland high up the pitch and eventually winning another penalty corner in the 33rd minute, which substitute keeper James Milliken parried over the bar. It wasn’t long before Milliken was called upon again, denying Ward from open play and saving another penalty corner soon after. His resolve was eventually broken by Ward, who’s second effort from a penalty corner found the back of the net.
Ward piled further misery on, netting his third of the game, again from a penalty corner that took an unfortunate deflection on its way goalward, leaving Milliken no chance to save. Rohan Bhuhi added a seventh for England, intercepting the ball in the press and finding the backboard.
Two green cards, one for Luke Witherow and one for Louis Rowe, made the on field situation even more challenging, with Ireland conceding another goal from a penalty corner, this time a variation that was slipped left to Sam Ward for his fourth.
A late period of pressure from Ireland eventually produced an opportunity to get a goal, Lee Cole producing a moment of individual brilliance to beat several defenders and draw the foul. Unfortunately, the corner didn’t produce a positive outcome, and the game ended 8-0 to England.
Speaking after the game Head Coach Mark Tumilty said:
”At this level, the game can get away from you, and it can be almost impossible to get back. And that game definitely got away from us. We were off the pace, we didn’t transition well, or keep the ball well. We gave up a lot of cheap corners and they punished us from 7 of those. The first two goals we conceded, happened when we were down to 10 players because of a green card and the final goal they scored came when we had two players green carded, and we were down to 9 players.
In general, a tough lesson for the guys who came in for this tournament.
England are in good physical condition we are a bit behind following the resumption of the national program. There are plenty of learnings, we will watch the video in the morning and go again tomorrow night.”
Speaking ahead of Ireland’s final game in this first stage of the FIH Pro League, Tumilty said:
“We’ve had two positive performances out here, the first game against England, and the loss to Argentina. If we can get a similar performance tomorrow night against Argentina we can come out of this block with a positive mindset to bring forward to the next series in India. The best way to do that is with a positive performance tomorrow night.”
Speaking about the quality of opposition in the FIH Pro League, Tumilty said:
“England are ranked second in the world currently which is way ahead of where ourselves and Argentina are ranked. But sometimes the stronger ranked sides can find themselves on the receiving end of a heavy defeat if they are off the pace on a particular day and that’s the reality of hockey at this level.
I’d still much rather be here playing against these teams, than not be involved in this tournament. Playing against the top 8 hockey nations in the world consistently is vitally important for the development of the team going forward.”
Ireland will have an opportunity to end their first stage of the 2024/25 FIH Pro League on a high as they play Argentina in their final game tonight at 00:30 Irish time.
IRELAND: Luke Roleston (GK); Lee Cole; Peter McKibbin; Kyle Marshall (C); Nicholas Page; Daragh Walsh; Peter Brown; Ben Walker; Ben Nelson; Fergus Gibson; Louis Rowe.
SUBS USED: Luke Witherow [4 mins]; Adam Walker [4 mins]; Conor Empey [4 mins] Alastair Empey [4 mins]; Ben Pasley [5 mins]; James Milliken [GK] [31 Mins].
ENGLAND: James Mazarelo; Nicholas Park; Jack Waller; Zachary Wallace; Jacob Payton Sam Ward; James Albery; Stuart Rushmere; Timothy Nurse; Conor Williamson [C]; Liam Sanford.
SUBS USED: Thomas Sorsby [ 3 Mins]; Sam Hooper [3 mins]; Sam Taylor [3 mins]; Rohan Bhuhi [4 mins]; Will Calnan [4 mins]; James Oates [5 mins].