IRELAND 0 – 3 SPAIN
Sunday, December 7 – Chile: Despite a huge fight from the Ireland U21 Women, Spain came away as 3-0 victors in the sides’ first of three classification games in the FIH Junior World Cup in Santiago.
Ireland battled well in the opening minutes, dealing with the infamous Spanish press to deny their opposition clear chances. Spain did eventually get their first chance of note, forcing a save from Lucy McGoldrick which ended in a penalty corner. From the corner, Spain found their breakthrough, the slap at goal taking a deflection off an Irish stick taking it into the roof of the net. Spain’s second came almost immediately after as they pulled the ball back off the baseline and tapped home.
Ireland weren’t without their moments, but strong Spanish defending denied them clear shots on goal in the opening quarter.
A penalty corner in the opening minute of quarter 2 gave Spain an early chance to get a third, but this time Ireland did well to direct their strike wide of the goal. Spain thought they had won a penalty stroke, but upon review the umpire adjudged that Lucy McGoldrick was impeded in her attempt to win the ball, and Ireland breathed a sigh of relief.
Ireland, though, remained dangerous and Maia McCourt produced the opportunity Ireland had been looking for driving into the circle and winning a penalty corner. Ireland’s first effort, a variation, came close ending in a re-award. From the second effort Spain did well to read Ireland’s switch left, and Spain went into the break two up.
Ireland made a brilliant start to the second half, stepping their press higher and disrupting Spain. An early circle penetration almost saw them get their first goal, but Spain scrambled well to clear Milla Fulton’s pullback after a great attacking move.
Spain regained control and eventually got their third, again finding joy from the baseline as the pullback was directed into the net by Marta Alcaraz.
An energy-sapping final quarter saw Ireland try to break down the Spanish pressing unit. Spain had answers early on, but Ireland’s persistence began to pay dividends, and Maia McCourt drove into the circle once again followed by Hollai Quinn, but Spain remained strong in defence. Eabha Curran launched Ireland’s best attacking move of the day, finding Hollai Quinn who in turn released Milla Fulton. Fulton got into the circle but just couldn’t get her shot away.
The sides cancelled each other out in the final minutes, with the pace coming out of the game, and Spain secured their 3-0 win.
Ireland will face Korea in their second of three classification matches on Wednesday, December 10 at 16:45 Irish Time.