Irish must regroup quickly after German thrashing

Ireland coach Gene Muller faces the unenviable task of having to lift his shell-shocked players’ spirits for tomorrow’s must-win EuroHockey Nations Championship clash with Scotland, after Germany hammered his side 7-0 on day one in Amsterdam. The girls in green were given a harsh lesson in how the other half live in world hockey, as the defending champions highlighted the gulf between the first- and second-tier sides in international women’s hockey when it comes to major tournaments. Ireland had plenty of reason to believe they could rattle the Germans, based on previous encounters over the past year. However, the latter showed there is a serious difference between playing them in friendly series and warm-up tournaments, and getting in their way when they hit peak form at a top-end competition.

Muller pulled no punches in the aftermath, recognising that Ireland had simply been caught in the crossfire of a superior force. “It was a difficult assignment playing a German side who have been in a medal match in every major competition for a long time,” he said. “There was a major quality difference, but not only that, they played very well. We need to recognise that fact once an opposition like that, it becomes a bit of damage control. “It is a bit of a shock to play against a side like this, especially if you have a young team and you have to be aware this is part of the team’s education. It’s not the end for Irish hockey but a continual building for the future. (We’re) disappointed, but you have to take your medicine sometimes. “What we take from the game is that we were able to change, especially our intensity, in the second half. We were too timid in the first half, so our challenge now is to start with that physical intensity against Scotland.” Goals from Anke Kuhn, Natascha Keller and Fanny Rinne gave Germany a 3-0 half-time lead before two well-taken strikes from Maike Stockel and corner strikes from Rinne and Julia Muller completed the scoring. Ireland improved in the second half, showing more bite in the tackle and won two penalty corners but were unable to make a dent in the deficit.

Muller must now lift his charges quickly for an early start (8.30am) tomorrow against the Scots. “The Scotland game is a critical game for us, it was always going to be. Staying up, that’s the premier objective. After that, even a point against Scotland and we may have a chance of playing for a World Cup place against Spain. By the end of tomorrow, the objective is still to be in the tournament.” Ireland: M Goode, R Flinn, E Cregan (capt), E Clarke, E Stewart, B Cleland, S McCay, N Symmons, E Smyth, L Jacob, M Harvey Subs: C Sargent, C McKean, A Speers, L Colvin, M Frazer Pool B results Ireland 0 Germany 7 (A Kuhn, N Keller, F Rinne 2, M Stockel 2, J Muller); Spain 3 (R Huertas, S Munoz, R Ybarra) Scotland 1 (H Cram) Pool A results: Netherlands 10 Azerbaijan 0; England 4 Russia 0