Ireland defeat Azerbaijan by 1-0 in FIH Champions Challenge I
Ireland women’s hockey team defeated their counterparts from Azerbaijan by 1-0 at ESB Electric FIH Champions Challenge I tournament, which is being played at University College Dublin (UCD) in Ireland from June 18 to 26. The Irish women will now play their
next play-off game for the fifth position against the Investec South Africa women on June 26.
“This was our most completed and demanding performance of the tournament. Azerbaijan was very direct and our concentration and work ethic was tested for the whole match. The performance was even more significant as we managed to rebound from yesterday’s
disappointment,” Muller stated his views on the match.
The match was played in tough, wet and rainy conditions in which both of the competitors had to fight a tough battle for the victory, but ultimately it was South Africa who remained successful in winning by a solitary goal.
The match started on a high note as the opponents tried very hard for an early lead from the start of the match. Both of the team had their chances throughout the first half, but no one could succeed in breaking the deadlock. The two teams played very safe
hockey in the first half as they concentrated on their defence rather on attack. The Irish women looked very frustrated in the first part of the game due the disappointment of their loss to USA in the quarter-final. Only a few, but well directed opportunities
were seen in the first half from the opponents.
Azerbaijan had their opportunity during the first half in shape of a penalty-corner, but that was beautifully saved by the Irish goal-keeper. The Irish women too had their chances, but they also remained goal-less in the first half and the score was 0-0
at the interval.
In the second half Ireland looked better as compared to first half. In the second half they looked more aggressive and played more attacking hockey rather than defensive in the field. Their changing strategy worked for them when they came across a scoring
opportunity in the start of the second half. The Irish women converted a chance into the deciding goal of the match, but after that their defenders had to show more commitment to preserve their lead till the end.
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