Irish face an uphill battle to qualify

Ireland 0 Spain 0

Victory would have secured their highest ever finish in a major competition.

In a game which gave them plenty of chances to win, they were ultimately frustrated by a Spanish outfit rebuilding ahead of the World Championships in two years time, and they now need a near-miracle against Holland today to make the semi-finals.

With Ireland never having beaten the Dutch in serious competition, their fate realistically depends on what happens in the other Pool A game between Spain and France. A win for Spain with more than one goal will consign Ireland to fighting for the minor placings.

Coach Riet Kuper said: “It was very disappointing. We went out there really believing we could have beaten Spain, but it just did not happen.”

She did not say that Ireland’s ambition of a semi-final spot was gone, but pragmatist that she is, it was left unsaid that she felt the Spanish were now in the box seat for a top four place

She felt the big occasion in front of a vociferous home crowd may have effected on the players, and in many ways they beat themselves by trying too hard.

“We were carrying the ball far too much and not passing it the way we should and that went against us. With the crowd behind them, the players may have just been looking for that extra little bit, instead of laying it off.

“But, having said that, I am happy that there were no goals against us, which is something that does not happen very often. Equally I am happy that it was the first time we have ever got a draw against Spain in a major championship.

“I had hoped to have qualified for the semi-finals tonight, but it was not to be. It is going to be hard now.”

Ireland captain, Lynsey McVicker, felt that given Spain’s ranking compared to the home team, it was going to be a big ask to win, but she was happy with the effort of her side.

“We didn’t help ourselves by playing more of a running game rather than passing the ball, but that’s the way it goes sometimes. We will be massive underdogs against Holland and while in the recent past we have tended to compete very well against them until half time when we’ve played them recently, they have stretched away in the second half. We won’t be found wanting for effort,” she said.

Ireland had their chances, but two technical fouls ruled both of their best ones out. While Spain won the short corner count by 6-4, the Irish defensive display was probably the best aspect of the team’s performance.

But, for all their efforts, Ireland now face an uphill struggle and the probability is that the fates will not be on their side.

IRELAND: Platt, Connery, Caulfield, Cregan, McKeever, Burke, McDonough, McVicker, O’Brien, Orbinson, Smyth. Rolling subs: Carey, McKean, Symmons, Casey.

SPAIN: Rosa, Menendes, Ybarra, Malda, Prat, Munoz, Bonastre, Huertas, Sanchez, Camon Termens. Rolling subs: Antona, Ejarque, Curbelo, Comerma.