Argentina break Irish hearts in FIH Pro League clash

Ireland 3-4 Argentina

Ireland slipped to a narrow loss against Argentina in the second FIH Pro League match between the two countries in Antwerp on Saturday.

Beaten 3-1 by the same oppostion on Thursday, Ireland went into this one having only previously beaten Argentina once in their last 16 meetings dating back to 1978.

Ireland started well on this occasion.

Bautista Capurro burst through in the opening stages, but Shane O'Donoghue blocked his effort at the expense of a long corner.

Daragh Walsh, playing his 99th international match for Ireland, won the first penalty corner of the match for his country, Luke Madeley’s effort rattling the backboard to give Ireland the lead in the 13th minute.

It was end to end with both sides enjoying periods of possession and circle entries. Argentina won a penalty corner through Maico Casela in the 16th minute. Nicolas Dela Torre’s shot towards goal was deflected by Lucas Martinez and went wide.

Capurro then surged down the left wing and cut inside the semi-circle before rifling the ball into the roof of the net to make the score 1-1 in the 19th minute.

It didn’t take long for Ireland to regain the lead. A long high ball into the semi-circle hit off an Argentinian foot and Ireland were awarded a penalty corner. The penalty corner was converted by drag flicker Madeley for his second of the match and giving Ireland a 2-1 lead.

In the 25th minute a cross by Jonathan Lynch was saved by the foot of Thomas Santiago. Then a long pass into the Irish semi-circle found Tomas Demene and he fired a shot which goalkeeper Mark Ingram stopped sharply.

Ingram saved another penalty corner but Argentina were awarded a second penalty corner in the 27th minute. Demene converted to make the score 2-2 in the 28th