Wednesday, June 24 – Berlin, Germany: The Ireland Women’s Hockey Team suffered a late defeat to China in their second of four matches in Berlin’s FIH Hockey Pro League stage. After a perfect start saw Ireland captain score in the opening 15 seconds, Ireland found themselves level at half-time as China equalised from a penalty corner. Knowing the value of a draw in their bid for FIH Hockey Pro League survival, Ireland kept things tight in the second half to stay level, but a late chance for China proved the difference maker as Zhong Jiaqi found the back of the net with 2 minutes remaining.
Ireland couldn’t have asked for a better start to the tie as they launched an aerial at the Chinese defence and immediately pressed. Ireland secured the loose ball and moved the ball to captain Sarah Hawkshaw who crashed a reverse strike into the bottom corner.
Ireland kept the pressure on, as they intercepted high which allowed Sarah Torrans to sting the palms of Liu Ping in the Chinese net. China eventually settled and enjoyed more time in possession, but Ireland denied them entry into their circle.
Ireland continued to look dangerous with space to run into, with Niamh Carey using her pace to exploit space out wide and drive into the circle to win a penalty corner. China, though, defended well to deny Caoimhe Perdue from the set piece.
A chance in the final minute of the opening quarter for China called Elizabeth Murphy into goalkeeping duties for the first time on the day of her fiftieth senior appearance, and the Ireland goalkeeper did well to clear the effort to maintain Ireland’s lead.
China continued to grow into the game into the second quarter, Sarah McAuley was called into defensive action early to make a last-ditch tackle to deny China a shot at goal. China continued to threaten, eventually winning a penalty corner. China’s Yang Liu slapped at goal and the ball took a fortuitous deflection on its way through to take it over Murphy.
After finding themselves level at half-time, Ireland had to seek an extra gear in the second half as they looked to secure vital points in the blistering Berlin heat. China, though, threatened early, flashing a strike across the face of goal early, to fire an early warning shot.
Ireland were unlucky to concede a penalty corner having been penalised for playing the ball after the whistle, but Ireland defended the set piece to stay on level terms.
Ireland though found joy once again from testing the Chinese defender from aerial balls. Jessica McMaster recovered the ball this time and released Niamh Carey to drive into the circle and win Ireland a penalty corner, but China denied Ireland from the effort on goal.
China threatened late in the third quarter, firing another shot across the face of goal and winning sixth penalty corner of the match with ninety seconds remaining but Elena Neill blocked the effort on goal on the line before Hannah McLoughlin recovered possession and won a free hit to relieve the pressure.
After some early pressure from China, Ireland settled well forcing their opposition into battles in the middle of the pitch and limiting any major attacking threat. With the clock ticking down and any points added to their tally going a long way in Ireland’s pursuit of FIH Hockey Pro League survival, Ireland played with patience in possession as they looked see out the game and force a shootout.
China, however, played a crash ball into the circle with just over two minutes to play. Zhong Jiaqi reacted quickest to secure the ball, beat her opposite player and loop the ball over Murphy to take a late lead, and eventually the win.
The result sees Ireland remain in eighth place in the standings, two points above England in the relegation place with two games remaining. Ireland will play Germany in their penultimate FIH Hockey Pro League match of the season on Friday, June 26 at 19:30 Irish Time.