Ireland well beaten by clinical Australia in first of two Antwerp encounters
Australia started strongly, earning a penalty corner inside three minutes, which Jeremy Hayward converted with a powerful flick past Luke Roleston in the Ireland net. They continued to press, and Blake Govers nearly doubled the lead, only to be denied by solid goalkeeping from Roleston.
Ireland responded quickly when McKee intercepted high up the pitch, fed Peter Brown, who drove into the circle and passed to Ben Walker. Walker then teed up a return pass to McKee, who finished superbly into the top corner to equalise before the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter saw high intensity from both sides with Australia regaining the lead after a turnover led to a penalty stroke, which Govers converted. Despite further pressure, Ireland's defence held firm to go into halftime trailing just one behind.
However, the third quarter proved decisive. Australia capitalised on their press, with Cooper Burns scoring a brilliant solo effort, followed by goals from Connar Otterbach (penalty corner deflection) and Jack Welch after an Irish defensive lapse.
Ireland started the final quarter brightly, winning their first penalty corner, only for Lee Cole to see his effort was saved by Australia's substitute keeper Jed Snowden. Chances followed from Luke Witherow and Louis Rowe, but Snowden remained resolute.
But Australia finished the stronger and had the last word, with Govers scoring his second to round off a quick counterattack and seal a comprehensive win.
Speaking after Ireland captain Lee Cole expressed his disappointment with the performance, saying: 'I think we struggled to keep up with the pace in the second half, and I think we went a little bit flat and into our shells which is never a good thing to do against Australia.
'They are a world class outfit, they have always been. I think everyone in this league is and that's the real challenge. Stringing performances together is where we need to improve.'
Looking ahead to tomorrow's rematch, Cole added: 'We have another chance tomorrow to bounce back. In an ideal world we don't bounce back, we get one good performance and back it up with another.
'That is the plan now, a big game tomorrow and then back it up with two good performances in our final games over the weekend.'
Wednesday's game will be available to watch on the TG4 Player at 2.30pm Irish time.
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