Ireland edge past Azerbaijan, 1-0 in ESB Electric Ireland FIH Champions Challenge I
Cliodhna Sargent notched the game-winning goal in the second half of play and had an assist to carry Ireland to a 1-0 victory over Azerbaijan in the play-off match of the ESB Electric Ireland FIH Champions Challenge I. The low-scoring game was contested
at the University College Dublin in Irish city of Dublin on Friday, June 24.
After losing the quarter-final game to low-profile USA, the women of Ireland were in shocking state of mind. It won the play-off contest against Azerbaijan, despite heavy showers and windy conditions. A single goal was enough for the Irish women to
take the opponents down and move into the second round of the play-off stage. They will face South Africa for the 5th and 6th positions, while both the losers India and Azerbaijan will fight for the 7th and
8th places. Interestingly, both teams were beaten in the quarter-final round, despite coming on the top in their respective groups.
Gene Muller, the senior trainer of the Ireland, while briefing the media after the match said that the team displayed one of the best performances of the Champions Challenge. This performance also pulled up them from quarter-finals’ disappointment.
He stated, “This was our most complete and demanding performance of the tournament. Azerbaijan are 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.”
Despite the showers and windy condition, both the teams landed on the field with great zeal, but home team was looking frustrated in the opening set of play. On the other side, Azerbaijan was looking more active and vigorous. They earned a short-corner
in the early minutes, but failed to convert it into a successful goal. In a counter-offence, the Irish player took the ball into the defensive circle of Azerbaijan and created first penalty-corner, but the hit went over the cross-bars.
With passage of the time, the host side started getting dominance on the field and accomplished brilliant moves against Azerbaijan. They also obtained another couple of short-corners, but failed to avail the opportunities productively. Despite fast
and furious game, the opening half was concluded with both teams failing to break the curse over the goals.
Amazingly the home team revved up their performance in the second period and adopted more offensive policies. In the 45th minute of the match Cliodhna Sargent converted a short-corner to put her line-up ahead in the way to victory.
Despite a series of attacks, the home-side failed to make an addition on the scoreboard in the remaining period. The results remained same till the final whistle and the Irish women rode away the arena with 1-0 victory.
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