HOCKEY:WITH BOTH teams already through to tomorrow's final, where the glittering prize for the winners will be a place in the Olympic Games, Ireland and Belgium's pool meeting at their qualifier yesterday evening was always, as coach Gene Muller put it, going to be an "odd" affair.
In the end, it was honours even, the teams playing out a 1-1 draw. Belgium, who created more of the scoring chances, took the lead on eight minutes through a Jill Boon penalty stroke, teenager Chloe Watkins equalising 10 minutes before the break after Emma Smyth and Miriam Crowley combined to set her up. It was the first goal Belgium conceded in the tournament.
If the first half was lively enough, Belgium winning the corner count by three to one, the second was cagier, the two sides, thoughts presumably firmly fixed on the encounter that really matters, opting for caution.
Neither coach, though, is likely to read much in to the game, with both sides intent on hiding their more effective penalty corner routines, that could prove so decisive tomorrow. And Muller opted to rest top scorer and corner specialist Audrey O’Flynn after she took a blow to the face in Thursday’s win over Spain.
Still, the draw brought to an end Belgium’s winning streak over Ireland that started at last summer’s European Championships, when they won their pool meeting 3-0, and continued with two 1-0 victories in South Africa last month.
Muller describes Belgium as “the most improving team in the world”, suggesting they’re “about five positions better” than their ranking of 16. Ireland are 14th but recent form and results between the sides – and Belgium’s home advantage – make the hosts favourites for tomorrow’s final.
Ireland, though, displayed a grit against top seeds Spain, in their decisive 3-2 pool victory, that, if repeated tomorrow, suggests they are capable of prevailing, and qualifying for the Olympic Games for the first time ever.
“I’m not sure we’ll be able to play a whole lot better than we did against Spain,” said Muller, “but if we can match that, we’ll be in with a shout.”
Ten of the 12 Olympic Games slots have already been filled – by reigning champions the Netherlands (world ranking: one), Argentina (2) Germany (3), hosts Britain (4), China (5), New Zealand (6), Australia (7), Korea (8), the United States (10) and South Africa (12). The winners of the final qualifying tournament in Japan next month will take the last slot.
Muller is hoping his charges can “play with freedom” rather than be intimidated by the occasion. But it’s hard to downplay tomorrow’s final which is the biggest game in the history of Irish women’s hockey.
* RTÉ will have live television coverage of the women’s final on Sunday, starting at 3.20 on RTÉ One. Peter Collins will be joined in the studio for analysis by Joe Brennan, with commentary on the match from Ger Canning and Graham Shaw. There will also be live updates and reports on RTÉ Radio’s Sunday Sport, although “contractual agreements by the rights holders” mean the channel can’t show the match live online.
IRELAND:P Smithwick, M Harvey, M Crowley, C Sargent, E Smyth, E Clarke, A Speers (capt), S McCay, S McCarthy, N Symmons, C Watkins. Subs: N Evans, L Jacob, A Connery, L Colvin, N Daly.
BELGIUM: N Khouzam, A Raes, L Danhaive, E Coppey, G Valcke, L Cavenaile, C de Vos (capt), B Nelen, J Boon, S Gierts, S de Groof. Subs: A Gerniers, L van Lindt, E Sinia, A S van Regemortel, H Delmee.
