Dublin: In the FIH Pro League series held at the Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium in Rourkela, Ireland’s national football team faced defeats against both India and Spain, marking a streak of eight consecutive losses.
In the final match against India, Ireland struggled as they conceded four goals without reply. Despite dominating the first quarter and creating scoring opportunities, Ireland couldn’t capitalise, with Neelakanta Sharma and Akashdeep striking within 90 seconds to put India ahead.
The match saw India extending their lead with goals from Manpreet Gurjant in the 38th minute and Jugraj Singh in the 45th minute, leaving Ireland grappling to narrow the gap.
Reflecting on the game, Ireland’s head coach, Mark Tumilty, commended his team’s performance despite the defeat, highlighting their ability to create scoring chances against a formidable Indian side. Tumilty emphasised the invaluable experience gained from facing top-tier teams, which he believes will be beneficial for their upcoming trip to Paris.
Tumilty’s remarks underscore the team’s resilience and determination to learn from their encounters with world-class opponents, despite the setbacks faced on the field.
India’s upcoming match against Argentina in Antwerp, Belgium, on May 22, 2024, marks the next phase of the tournament. With three victories, one loss, and four draws, India currently stands at third place in the table with 15 points.
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