Ireland v Belgium results

Belgium 3 v 0 Ireland HT 1-0 | 2010-02-05 15:40
No Venue | Friendly (National Ladies) | Match Report(s)

Ireland played their first of a double header against Belgium in a match that started forty minutes after its scheduled 3pm start just a number of hours after their plane touched down.

In a below par performance the Irish girls looked rusty testament to the fact that it has been six months since their last international match. Despite the score-line Louisa Healy in goals pulled some crafty saves out of the bag as did the opposing keeper as both sides created chances of scoring.

The penalty corner count was very low Belgium getting the only penalty corner in the half which came to nothing. But the deadlock was broken finally in the 25th minute when a unmarked forward picked up a cross in the circle to tip it past the oncoming Healy in goals.

Ireland improved on their performance in the second half, securing their only penalty corner of the game which Flynn converted, but after appeal and some negotiation the umpire reversed the decision based on dangerous play before the shot was fired home. Belgium doubled their lead in the 50th minute capitalising on poor defence work from Ireland allowing them to convert a sloppy goal. Belgium put the game beyond Ireland's reach with just five minutes to go when they made good on their short corner routine and their wide shot was just nicked in at the post from the tightest of angles.

Commenting after the game Coach Muller said "We were rusty tonight after a six month break from international matches, and conceded some sloppy goals we also failed to score from High quality chances"

"On a positive note our two new caps, Nicci Daly and Audrey O'Flynn acquitted themselves well." he continued.

Belgium 2 v 1 Ireland HT 1-0 | 2010-02-07 14:00
No Venue | Friendly (National Ladies) | Match Report(s)

Ireland played Belgium for the second time earlier today. A day’s rest resulted in Ireland looking brighter and playing better hockey than in Friday's match.

Ireland opened the scoring with just twelve minutes on the clock from the first penalty corner of the match, Michelle Harvey scoring with a low drag flick pulled to the right.

Belgium had several attacks but Ireland’ defence marshalled by Bridget Cleland, capataining the side today, were rock solid denying all chances. In the 24th and 26th minute Ireland created two golden opportunities from quick hits out of defence from Cliodhna Sargent but the girls in green squandered both chances.

Ireland conceded just two penalty corners in the first half but cleared both chances easily, meaning they went into the break with a one nil lead and looking in control of the game.

Belgium came out looking stronger in the second half, upping their game, but it was the Irish who looked likely to score again when they created a three on one but Flinn’s efforts missed the target.

The home side then forced Goode for Ireland into an excellent double save, before Ireland had yet another chance to double their lead when Niamh Small shot wide from point blank range.

The move of the game produced Belgium’s equaliser half way through the second half, when they worked a beautiful passing move through three defenders touching in from close range to draw level.

A yellow card five minutes later to Belgium gave Ireland the initiative once more but Ireland never capitalised on the arising opportunities. Ireland moved four into midfield for the last five minutes to hunt out the winning goal, but Belgium’s final attack resulted in Ireland conceding the last goal of the game in the 69th minute.

After the game, Muller was clearly disappointed "Two one is a disappointing result for an improved performance; we created goal chances which should have put the game out of reach by half time. Instead, of a buffer of a few goals we ended up loosing with only a minute left on the clock.”

“Generally, these matches were very beneficial in our WCQ preparations we are experimenting with players and tactics and we will use our next matches in England and the Celtic Cup to continue with this process." he continued.

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