Ireland's seven nil thumping against Germany is a 'tough lesson'

Ireland 0-7 Germany

Germany, who made 6 changes from their opening game in the London stage against India, are the current World Cup holders, and were up against World ranked number 11 Ireland, currently in bottom place in the FIH Pro League table.

Elian Mazkour gave Germany the lead in the 17th minute. Germany then went on to score two goals in quick succession. Malte Hellwig increased their lead by two in the 28th minute with Captain Marco Miltkau making it 3-0 a minute later. The Germans led 3-0 at half-time.

Miltkau got his second field goal of the game to put Germany4-0 in the 42nd minute. Hellwig converted a 52nd minute penalty corner to make it 6-0 and Thies Prinz with a field goal in the 54th minute made it 7-0.

Both these teams came into this game on the back of heavy defeats. India thumped Germany 3-0 yesterday and Ireland had been on the wrong end of a 1-5 score line against Great Britain.

The first quarter was close and scoreless. With no penalty corners and very few opportunities for either team it gave little or no indication of what was to come. In the second quarter Ireland had an arguably better showing but ended up conceding three goals without reply.

Mazkour capitalized on a rebound from a Jamie Carr save. While the Irish keeper was trying to find out where the ball was Mazkour pounced to give the World Cupholders the lead. Ireland enjoyed a purple patch thereafter forcing a long corner in the 18th minute and generally holding their own. But the errors continued, and Germany were not ones to look gift horses in the mouth.

In the 28th minute Hellwig increased their lead. Prinz capitalized on a turnover of possession and sent a through pass into the Irish semi-circle and Hellwig rifled into the top corner of