Battling Ireland fall to defeat against world No 1 Netherlands
Netherlands 2-0 Ireland
Ireland fell to a 2-0 loss against world No 1 and Olympic champions the Netherlands in Amstelveen on Wednesday at they resumed their FIH Pro League season.
Ireland played well for large spells, fashioning some good opportunities.
However, the Dutch showed their ruthlessness streak to nick two goals that swung things in their favour, albeit they enjoyed the rub of the green for both.
The Netherlands threatened from the off, with defender Lee Cole called into action almost immediately to clear the ball off the line.
Ireland responded well, holding possession 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.
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.
Early Dutch pressure in the second quarter again forced Ireland onto the back foot, but Ireland continued to ask questions of their vaunted opponents, 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.
Ireland started the second half brightly. Positive play it the final third lead to a shot from Lee Cole inside the first minute, but his strike was deemed to be 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 to not 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.
They found a higher gear in the final quarter, though Ireland battled to the end.
Ultimately the Dutch closed it out to extend their lead at the top of the nine-country FIH Pro League table to seven points. England are second, ahead of Belgium on goal difference. Ireland are bottom with one point from nine matches to date.
Ireland will play the Netherlands in Amstelveen again tomorrow at 7pm.
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