Ireland 0 Belgium 1
Ireland had plenty of reasons to be confident going into this game, having put in two excellent performances beating England and drawing with Spain during the week. It was Belgium however, who got off to the perfect start, scoring from open play in the 2nd minute through Axel de Bolle. Despite exerting pressure on the Belgian defence throughout the first half, Ireland were unable to find an equaliser and Belgium went in at the break 1-0 up.
Ireland came into their own in the third quarter dominating possession and forcing 3 penalty corners, with Troy Chambers coming close, however they could not break down a resolute Belgian defence. Belgium began to take control in the last quarter and won 2 penalty corners early on with Ireland defending them well. Despite taking off the Irish goalkeeper Ben Whelan with 2 minutes to go, Ireland were unable to find a goal and it finished 1-0 to Belgium.
The Netherlands beat England 7-1 in the first game of the day with Ivo Visser scoring a hat-trick for the Dutch. In the final game of the day, Germany and Spain played out a 1-1 draw before Spain took the bonus point in the shoot-out 3-2.
Results:
Netherlands 7 (Boeren; Visser (3); Parlevliet(2); Haring) – England 1 (Moorhouse)
Ireland 0 – Belgium 1 (de Bolle)
Germany 1 (Sperling) – Spain 1 (Borras) (Spain won the shoot-out 3-2)
Fixtures: Saturday 21st July:
09.00 Belgium v England (Girls)
11.00 Spain v Netherlands (Girls)
13.00 Belgium v England (Boys)
15.00 Ireland v Germany (Girls)
17.00 Ireland v Germany (Boys)
19.00 Spain v Netherlands (Boys)
Photo Credit – Trevor Collins