International tournament news

02-05 First win for Ireland

2010-5-2

In the second game of the day, Chile faced Ireland in front of over 2,000 local fans who donated as entry fee, donation, clothing items and non-perishable food for the victims of Chile’s earthquake of last February.

It was an excellent game for both teams, with the first exciting moment arriving after a great attack from Chile’s Camila CARAM who passed to Javiera VILLAGRA who had a clear shoot on goal. But unfortunately the ball brushed off the right side of the post. Chile continued to put pressure. A strong attack from the left side of the field created by a long pass from Cliodhna SARGENT to Eimear CREGAN gave them the possibility to pass the ball to Megan FRAZER who open the score board for Ireland with only 10 minutes of play.

Chilean forward Daniella INFANTE tried to even the score by a skillful play. However, the Irish defender Michelle HARVEY stopped her attempt and created a counter attack for Ireland.

In the 16th minute, Chile earned their second Penalty Corner, they executed well with Sofia WALBAUM pushing out. At the top of the circle, Paula INFANTE, had all the time for a clear shoot, but instead, she decided to play it. Eventually she ended up loosing ball possession. The local crowd trying to inject energy to their favorites the ¨Diablitas¨ chanting the famous ¨C-H-I¨

Ireland’s Niamh SMALL drives the ball down the right side of the field and gave a fantastic pass to Roisin FLINN who deflected just off the right post. Chile recovered and again with Camila CARAM, who had a great game today, they tried to pressure the Irish defense with not great success. The Chilean coach expressed constantly his dissatisfaction perhaps in hope that his players would respond by increasing their intensity.

Ireland with great efforts to outplay the disciplined Chilean’s defense was booming at 29th minutes in the first half. Ireland obtained their second Penalty Corner and to their benefit, a little adjustment in the corner option, Cliodhna SARGENT took the chance to score Ireland’s second goal.

Chile kept struggling; Paula INFANTE with only two minutes to finish the first half intentionally faulted Irish’s Megan FRAZER. Umpire Stella BARTLEMA, from Netherlands, called a Penalty Stroke, Nicola SIMMONDS brilliantly converted the stroke to put Ireland up by three.

Half Time (0:3)

In the second half, Ireland pressured Chile from the start and the home side gave them a third Penalty Corner. Claudia SHULER, a dominant goalkeeper, kept the Chilean team inspired to negate the Irish to score again.

Chilean Carolina GARCIA passed a superb ball to Daniela CARAM who approached the circle from the right side of the field, she passed to Manuela URROZ who unfortunately for Chile, did not anticipate the ball and Irish defender Bridget CLELAND, spoiled Chile’s attack.

Chile continued their quest to score with their three skillful sisters: Daniela, Paula and Denise INFANTE and two powerful sisters Daniela and Camila CARAM to force the Irish team to retreat into their defense area. Chile created more Penalty Corners that Louisa HEALY Irish’s goalkeeper managed to stop.

The crowd was loud and so the Chilean bench, trying to infuse energy to their Chilean players. Nevertheless, Ireland kept their composure and maintain their game plan without being affected by the displeased Chilean crowd.

Strong players for Ireland were Alexandra SPEERS, Michelle HARVEY and Niamh SMALL, for Chile, Claudia SHULLER, Camila CARAM, and Manuela URROZ.

The final score was 0:3 giving Ireland their first win in this BDO World Cup Qualifier

FIH