reality check for irish
Wednesday November 18 2009
Ireland were given a severe reality check at the Word Hockey Cup qualifier in Argentina as they lost to Belgium yesterday.
Coach Paul Revington's outfit were on the back foot after three minutes when Jerome Truyens cashed in on a defensive slip.
Belgium's second, on 10 minutes, was a beauty, deflected brilliantly past 'keeper David Harte by Jerome Dekeyser.
The insurance goal was added by Benjamin van Hove immediately after the restart, thumping home a rebound off Harte's pads.
Ireland gave as good as they got for the remainder of the match but failed to break their duck.
"We are still upbeat," said manager Peter Jackson afterwards, looking forward to Saturday's make-or-break game against Argentina.
Captain Ronan Gormley was the star of the Irish defence while Mikey Watt and Geoff McCabe put in impressive shifts further up the pitch.
- Ireland 0 Belgium 3
Irish Independent
