Ireland’s World Cup qualification hopes are hanging by a thread after they were stunned 2-0 by Belarus at the World League 2 in Valencia yesterday.
New Irish coach Darren Smith had highlighted the eastern Europeans, ranked seven places below Ireland in 21st, as potential dark horses but this defeat was of Ireland’s own making.
They had oceans of possession but rarely tested the Belarus keeper in a poor-quality game riddled with double turnovers, while their short corner unit also didn’t function.
The same couldn’t be said for the Belorussians, who turned up the heat with a short corner deflection by Ryta Batura midway through the half before ending the game in the ascendancy, scoring through Strayezhka after another after a series of set-pieces.
Ireland are the highest-ranked side in the five-team tournament, with the top two advancing, but Spain – who they play next on Saturday – are favourites on home turf.
The girls in green must now win that game and also get three points against 17th-ranked Italy on Sunday to advance to the World League round 3 in June, which doubles as a World Cup qualifier.
On Monday, Ireland overcame a nightmare start to get their campaign underway with a 4-1 win over the Czech Republic.
A defensive mix-up left the Czechs in for a soft fifth-minute goal goal but Lisa Jacob hoovered up a rebound off Ireland’s third short corner to restore parity.
Aine Connery’s adroit trap and rasping reverse finish just before half-time was just the tonic Smith’s side needed and Ireland dominated the second period after Audrey O’Flynn’s 37th-minute drag-flick gave them breathing room. Nicola Gray added a fourth from another corner in the final quarter.
The same couldn’t be said for the Belorussians, who turned up the heat with a short corner deflection by Ryta Batura midway through the half before ending the game in the ascendancy, scoring through Strayezhka after another after a series of set-pieces.
Ireland are the highest-ranked side in the five-team tournament, with the top two advancing, but Spain – who they play next on Saturday – are favourites on home turf.
The girls in green must now win that game and also get three points against 17th-ranked Italy on Sunday to advance to the World League round 3 in June, which doubles as a World Cup qualifier.
On Monday, Ireland overcame a nightmare start to get their campaign underway with a 4-1 win over the Czech Republic.
A defensive mix-up left the Czechs in for a soft fifth-minute goal goal but Lisa Jacob hoovered up a rebound off Ireland’s third short corner to restore parity.
Aine Connery’s adroit trap and rasping reverse finish just before half-time was just the tonic Smith’s side needed and Ireland dominated the second period after Audrey O’Flynn’s 37th-minute drag-flick gave them breathing room. Nicola Gray added a fourth from another corner in the final quarter.
I watched Ire v Belarus live on the web & it was a very poor game of hockey. Belarus didn’t look a very good side & that is the worrying thing for Ire. Ire didn’t appear to have a good game plan & the short corners were really poor. There was also a lack of cohesion in the whole performance.