Ireland claim impressive draw with Belgium in opener

Ireland 0-0 Belgium

Ireland opened up their Olympic qualification Pool A campaign with a hard-fought goalless draw with 2023 European silver medalists Belgium in Spain.

With Ireland ranked 13th in the world and their opponents fourth, the pressure was always going to be on – but they showed plenty of spirit to keep Belgium out.

Charlotte Engelbert forced a penalty corner after only 20 seconds. It was the first of nine such corners awarded against Ireland in the first half. But the Irish defence, marshalled by Lena Neill, Hannah McLoughlin and Roisín Upton and backstopped by player of the match Ayeisha McFerren, were able to hold out not only in quarter one but quarters two and three as well.

Ireland were up against it for most of the first half but it was scoreless at half-time as McFerren made several saves including a double save from a penalty corner to keep Ireland in the match.

The third quarter saw Ireland gain a fair bit of possession, but they were unable to carve out too many clear-cut opportunities.

It wasn't until the 40th minute that Ireland were awarded their first penalty corner, but Belgian substitute goalkeeper Elode Picard wasn't troubled by Chloe Watkins' effort nor Beth Harper's attempt on the rebound.

Ireland had made good use of video referrals early on in the game, getting two penalty corner awards overturned in the process.

Neither side seemed capable of capitalising on having an extra player though. Belgium had one player green carded in the 34th minute and Ireland had three players green carded at different stages in the second quarter, but it remained goalless.

There was drama at the death. In the final six seconds, Belgium looked for a video referral as they claimed the ball hit an Irish foot inside