IRELAND 1 – 3 INDIA
FIH Pro League
Bhubaneswar, February 22: India came from behind to eventually beat Ireland in the first of four FIH Pro League games in Bhubaneswar, India.
Ireland started the game at an exceptional pace and looked to attack with real purpose. An early attack down the right-hand side saw Daragh Walsh pull the ball back to Ben Walker who was denied from close range by the post. It wasn’t long after that Ireland did break the deadlock. Matthew Nelson cut in from the right-hand side to place a beautiful ball to Jeremy Duncan. The Monkstown forward’s rapid shot on the half turn fired into the Indian net to give Ireland a deserved lead.
Just minutes later Ireland launched another attack, with Ben Walker driving into the circle. His slapped effort was well saved by Indian keeper Pathak, but the goalmouth flurry eventually ended in a penalty corner for Ireland. Ireland opted to go direct through Adam Walker. His drag flick was well saved, Jonny Lynch looked well positioned to capitalise on the rebound but was denied at the near post by an Indian defender. Ireland had to settle for just the one goal in the opening quarter.
India began to get a foothold in the game in Q2, producing several attacking phases which the Irish defensive unit dealt with well. The hosts did eventually draw themselves level, Mandeep Singh dribbling into the circle and shooting powerfully past Jaime Carr. A penalty corner just moments after gave India an opportunity to go ahead, but Jeremy Duncan’s brave running blocked India’s effort on goal.
Half-time gave India an opportunity to re-adjust, with the hosts opting to press Ireland with much greater intensity. The hosts enjoyed much more of the ball in this third quarter but it took until the seventh minute of the second half for them to produce a chance. A dangerous ball in the circle eventually fell to Abhishek who tried to take a shot on his reverse which was blocked bravely by Fergus Gibson, with the Banbridge defender picking up a nasty knock to the hand in the process.
India did take the lead before the end of Q3. Having won a penalty corner, they opted to go direct from the drag flick. Carr saved well from the initial effort, but Jarmanpreet reacted quickest to fire the loose ball into the net at the near post.
An early chance in the final quarter for India threatened to put the game but bed, a well worked move down the right-hand side resulted in a pull back to the penalty spot but Carr stood stall to pull off an incredible save. Despite regain some control on the game and enjoying more possession, Ireland couldn’t quite produce the opportunities in front of goal.
India, however, continued to ask questions, forcing Peter McKibbin into a goal-line save but eventually grabbing their third from a penalty corner variation to seal the victory.
Speaking after the game Head Coach Mark Tumilty said:
“The first quarter was very pleasing. I thought the lads implemented a lot of the things we had been working on. It was probably some of the best hockey we have played recently, which was a positive.
Once they got their first goal we went a back into our shells. We struggled to play forward as much as we would have wished to. In the second half yes, we had some opportunities, but you have to execute them.
India are a challenge they showed that in their game against Germany. Decision making at the highest level just needs to be better.
Discussing the next game against India tomorrow, Tumilty said:
“The challenge is can we go back-to-back and produce something tomorrow. We came here with objectives, and we need to stick to those objectives. Were we better on the ball tonight, than we were in Argentina? Yes we were.
We showed for periods of that game that we can be good with the ball. We need to better with the ball for longer passages of play. It’s a learning process we need to go through. We’re definitely moving in the right direction.”
Ireland will face India again in the FIH Pro League tomorrow at 14:00 Irish time.
IRELAND: Jamie Carr (GK); Luke Witherow; Daragh Walsh; Kyle Marshall (C); Peter McKibbin; Ben Walker; Jonathan Lynch; Peter Brown; Ben Nelson; Fergus Gibson; Greg Williams.
SUBS USED: Matthew Nelson [5 mins]; Jeremy Duncan [5 mins]; Ben Pasley [5mins]; Louis Rowe [5 mins]; Adam Walker [5 mins].
INDIA: Krishan Bahadur Pathak (GK); Abhishek; Manpreet Singh; Hardik Singh; Mandeep Singh; Harmanpreet Singh (C); Amit Rohidas; Sukhjeet Singh; Yashdeep Siwach; Sanjay; Rajinder Singh.
SUBS USED: Jarmanpreet Singh [3 mins]; Uttam Singh [3 mins]; Raj Kumar Pal [3 mins]; Jgraj Singh [4 mins]; Vivk Sagar Prasad [4 mins]; Suraj Karkera (GK) [16 mins].