Spirited Ireland contain Belgium
AYEISHA McFERRAN’S inspired performance helped Ireland produce a heroic draw with Belgium last night to kickstart their bid to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Sean Dancer’s side kept out 11 penalty corner chances against one of the most dangerous sides in world hockey as McFerran gloved, kicked and booted Ireland towards a crucial point here.
‘A lot of hard work over the last few months has got us to do that performance especially from the defensive side,’ said captain Katie Mullan.
‘From minute one to 60 we were in the game. We battled hard and I couldn’t have asked for more.’
The Green Army knew they had to be on their guard from the outset against the attack-minded world No 4 side and European silver medallists.
Early on, the dangerous Stephanie Vanden Borre struck the outside of McFerran’s post from her second penalty corner in the first quarter.
Meanwhile, Delphine Marien nearly made a scampering run to the baseline before dragging back into Elena Neill’s foot to win Belgium’s third penalty corner but the chance went begging.
Minutes later, the Red Panthers had racked up three successive corners. The third saw McFerran’s boot avert the danger.
And as the first quarter hooter sounded, Ireland had somehow survived nine corners.
Belgium continued to hound and harass Ireland at every juncture in the second quarter. It led to a first green card as Charlotte Beggs attempted to dribble her way out of trouble only to fell her opponent.
After successfully reviewing a Belgian corner in the second half, Ireland finally summoned their first period of sustained ball retention in the third quarter.
A first penalty corner too as Belgium’s defence just cleared danger after a goalmouth scramble. A midfield turnover then saw Belgium accrue their 10th penalty corner, only for Neill to save on the line.
With five minutes left, Charlotte Englebert scooped over the bar from close range before another McFerran stick save from Vanden Borre.
‘There were a lot of nerves at the start and we knew that we would have a big defensive effort,’ a delighted Dancer said afterwards.
‘It was just business as usual until the last four minutes and it got a bit frantic. We were trying to win the game but a draw is a quality performance from us.’
Ireland next play Ukraine tomorrow before their final group match against Korea on Tuesday.
IRELAND STARTING XI: McFerran, Hawkshaw, Mullan, McLoughlin, Neill, Carroll, Curran, Beggs, McKee, Duke, Harper. subs: Watkins, Carey M, Upton, Carey N, McAuley, Murphy (GK).
BELGIUM: Rasir, Englebert, Vandermeiran, Puvrez, Versavel, Gerniers, Blockmans, Struijk, D’Hooghe, Vanden Borre, Brasseur. subs: Marien, Raye, Nelen, Hilliewaert, Ballenghein.