OLYMPIC GAMES HOCKEY/ POOL B: IRELAND 1 ARGENTINA 2
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 1, PARIS: Despite continuous improvement as the tournament went on, Ireland were yet to secure any points from their first three games in Paris. The road to success was clear; two wins in their remaining games and the quarter final spot would be secured. Ireland who are ranked 11th in the World were beaten twice by 6th ranked Argentina in the recent FIH PRO League, with Los Leones currently sitting fourth in the group with four points accrued thus far. A draw would likely be enough to see them secure their spot in the quarter finals. The two sides had history in the Olympic games. Argentina beat Ireland 3-2 in their final Pool B game in Rio to deny Ireland a place in the quarter finals on that occasion. Ireland went out and Argentina went on to win the Gold medal. In the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, however, Los Leones could only come 7th.
Despite dominating possession in the first quarter, Ireland were unable to force any penalty corners and it was scoreless after the first 15-minute period. Argentina took the lead early in the second quarter when Tomas Domene converted a penalty corner in the 17th minute. Lee Cole equalised for Ireland in the 27th minute and then Argentina went back in front in the 28th minute when Maico Casella Schuth converted a penalty corner to put them 2-1. It was 2-1 at half-time. Ireland continued to apply pressure, winning a number of penalty corners in the second half, one of which leading to a penalty stroke that Argentine goalkeeper Santiago saved. There was to be no further scoring and ARG finished as 2-1 victors.
The opening five minutes of the fixture were evenly matched, but the first penalty corner of the game fell to Argentina in the 9th minute. Jeremy Duncan, the designated runner, managed to block the shot and won himself a free hit out as the drag flick struck him high on the body. Ireland finished the quarter strongly without creating any clear-cut opportunities. It was 0-0 at the end of the first quarter.
Argentina opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Tomas Domene converted a penalty corner. A minute later Ireland were awarded a penalty corner of their own. Argentina referred the decision to the video umpire, but they lost their appeal and their option to refer. Shane O’Donoghue’s drag flick was saved by Tomas Santiago. The ball fell in front of the keeper and in the goalmouth scramble the IRL attackers felt a foul had occurred. They opted to use their referral in an effort to win a penalty stroke but the decision didn’t go their way, and they too lost their referral. In the 19th minute Argentina were awarded another penalty corner Tomas Domene’s drag flick was saved by David Harte and a free hit was awarded to Ireland. Michael Robson and Nicholas Page both had crash balls into the goalmouth blocked in the 23rd minute. Ireland were eventually rewarded for their attacking endeavours in the 27th minute when they were awarded a penalty corner. Lee Cole stepped up, placing his drag flick accurately into the top corner to draw Ireland level.
The lead was to be short lived. In the 28th minute Argentina were awarded a penalty corner, which Maico Casella Schuth graciously converted to restore Argentina’s one goal lead going into half-time.
Argentina began the third quarter brightly without creating too many worthwhile opportunities. Ireland’s first effort of the third quarter was from Ben Walker in the 40th minute who’s upright reverse shot was denied by Tomas Santiago. But the chance didn’t come to nothing as Ireland were awarded a penalty corner for a dangerous ball during Argentina’s efforts to clear their lines. Lee Cole’s drag flick was saved by Santiago which resulted in another penalty corner. Cole stepped up again, but this time his drag flick was blocked by a defender’s stick. Ireland got another penalty corner in the 45th minute. Shane O’Donoghue’s first effort was blocked by a foot. From the re-award O’Donoghue flicked low, evading the first runner and hitting the post player on the line, giving Ireland a penalty stroke, and an opportunity to draw level again. Cole stepped up and as he stood over the ball, the umpire halted proceedings to caution Santiago for movement on the line. Despite the warnings the goalkeeper managed to save Lee Cole’s penalty stroke, and it was still 2-1 at the end of the third quarter.
Ireland began the fourth quarter strongly forcing a penalty corner in the 47th minute, Shane O’Donoghue’s drag flick was saved by Tomas Santiago ‘s foot. In the 48th minute another penalty corner saw Lee Cole fire his effort narrowly wide. In the 56th minute Ireland could have been awarded a penalty corner when the ball hit an Argentinian foot but as they had lost their video referral, they were unable to get it checked. Ireland were awarded yet another penalty corner in the 57th minute. Opting for a variation, Lee Cole slipped the ball left Shane O’Donoghue, but then Lee collided with an Argentinian defender upending him. The referee awarded a free hit out to the Argentinians. Argentina slowed the pace of the game significantly in the closing two minutes, knowing that even a draw would see them through. Despite attempts to manufacture late chances, the scoreline ultimately remained 2-1 in Los Leones favour.
Ireland will not be in the quarter-finals at an Olympic Games, despite all the positive developments in recent years such as the recent participation in the FIH PRO League. Ireland’s team must get over this disappointment quickly and try to get a victory in the remaining game against the only other side with zero points in Pool B, New Zealand who they take on tomorrow afternoon at 16:15 Irish time.
Speaking after the game Ireland head coach Mark Tumilty said:
“It was frustrating, disappointing and we probably take a lot of pride as well in the performance. But at the end of the day at this level we fell short today, and we didn’t do enough to stay in the tournament. It’s a tough one for the lads to take. I don’t think we could have asked any more from the lads, they left it all out there on the pitch. We have to regroup here tonight and concentrate on the New Zealand game to try and get the win and finish the tournament on a high.”
Speaking on Ireland’s performance as a whole in Paris, Tumilty stated:
“We set ourselves an objective, when we came here, of producing 5 performances we could be proud of. We have produced 4 good performances, some better than others. We just want to finish with another good performance tomorrow. As we moved through the tournament we got more comfortable playing at this level. I don’t think anybody could fault the effort.”
Speaking about the saved Penalty Stroke, Tumilty said:
“Every goalkeeper plays those mind games. It’s all part of playing at this level. We came up against a good goalkeeper today. At this level we have to expect that.”
Speaking ahead of Ireland’s final game tomorrow against New Zealand, Tumilty said:
“I thought at times New Zealand have been like ourselves, impressive. Although they lost 5-0 earlier today, I think New Zealand have been unfortunate not to get some results, a lot like ourselves. Both teams will be disappointed to go out of the tournament at this stage. Hopefully we can find a bit more tomorrow than they have.”
IRELAND: David Harte (GK); Lee Cole; Shane O’Donoghue; Kyle Marshall; Tim Cross; John McKee; Sean Murray (C); Daragh Walsh; Peter Brown; Jeremy Duncan; Ben Walker:
SUBS USED: Matthew Nelson; Peter McKibbin; Ben Johnson, Nick Page:
ARGENTINA: Tomas Santiago (GK); Juan Catan; Maico Casella Schuth; Nicolas Della Torre; Lucas Toscani; Federico Monja; Mattias Rey (C); Agustin Mazzilli; Tadeo Marcuci; Tomas Habif; Bautista Capurro Zubeldia
SUBS USED: Nicholas Keenan; Santiago Tarazona; Tomas Domene; Lucas Martinez
