Ireland battle but fall short against World No.1 Netherlands in close first encounter

Ireland’s Kevin O’Dea retreats to help defend during a Dutch attack. Pic: World Sport Pics

Netherlands 2-0 Ireland

Ireland resumed their FIH Pro League season with a close encounter against World No.1 and Olympic champions the Netherlands in Amstelveen. 

A strong performance from a battling Ireland saw them enjoy long periods of possession and create several chances in front of goal. 

However, two fortunate goals for the Netherlands saw the home side secure a 2-0 win.

The Netherlands threatened from early on, with defender Lee Cole called into action almost immediately to clear the ball off the line from an early chance. Ireland responded positively, holding possession well and managing to progress into the Dutch final third, with Ben Walker making his way into the circle, followed by a blocked shot from Alistair Empey. 

Ireland continued to dominate possession, but a rare chance for the Dutch called Jaime Carr into action to make a smart save. Thierry Brinkman thought he had broken the deadlock with a reverse stick shot but Ireland immediately opted to refer for backstick, which the video umpire agreed with chalking the goal off, seeing the sides end the opening quarter locked at 0-0.

Early Dutch pressure again forced Ireland to defend resolutely, answering any questions asked. Luke Madeley responded by dribbling out of defence to break the Dutch press, allowing Ireland to mount an attack that ended in Ali Empey drawing a clumsy challenge and winning the first penalty corner of the tie. Luke Madeley’s subsequent effort was well blocked by the Dutch first runner.

Ireland continued to ask questions of the Dutch, with incisive runs from Fearghus Gibson and Daragh Walsh providing chances. However, a controversial penalty corner for the Netherlands offered them a chance to open the scoring, which Luke Dommershuijzen dispatched to score his first senior goal.

Late pressure from the Netherlands in the first half threatened to widen the gap, but a superb block from Matthew Nelson and further defending denied them their second as the sides went into the break.

Ireland got the second half underway and immediately looked to attack. Positive play in the final third led to a shot from Lee Cole inside the first minute, but his strike was deemed dangerous, and the Netherlands were given a free out. Patience in possession for Ireland continued to pay dividends, as Matthew Nelson attacked the circle and was unlucky not to get an outcome.

The Netherlands, however, showed their goalscoring prowess to double their lead from their first chance of the second half, Steijn van Heijningen deflecting the ball into the net with the deftest of touches.

Ireland, though, were determined to continue their positive performance, immediately winning a penalty corner which, again, the Netherlands defended well. Ireland followed this up with another well-worked attacking move which, again, the Dutch cleared.

A late flurry of penalty corners before the end of the third quarter called the Irish defence into action again, denying the hosts on three occasions to keep the score at 2-0 at the end of quarter 3.

The Netherlands found a higher gear in the final quarter, enjoying longer periods of pressure and manufacturing a handful of shots at goal which Jaime Carr was alive to. Ireland’s determination would continue to show with Ali Empey winning Ireland their third penalty corner of the game. 

Lee Cole’s resulting effort was saved and cleared. A penalty corner for the Netherlands inside the final five minutes offered the last moment of note of the game, with Jaime Carr again making a save, to see the game finish in a two-nil win for the Dutch, with the result seeing them extend their lead at the top of the FIH Pro League table to 7 points.

The pair will meet again tomorrow, June 12, at 7pm.