Match between Spain and Ireland ends in a 1-1 draw
Following a cliff-hanging contest, the final group match of the ESB Electric Ireland FIH Champions Challenge I between Spain and Ireland concluded at 1-1 played in Dublin on June 21, 2011.
Ireland did not lose any game in the group-stage. It is currently holding the top position in Pool-B with two victories and one draw. Though, the host team of Ireland was lowest in the line-up at the start of the event, it displayed impressive performances
and will contest in the quarter-final as a group topper.
The Irish squad having six points has entered the field with great spirit. It won the first two matches of the Champions Challenge and held the highest position at the point-chart.
Ireland and Spain opened the game quite offensively and carried out strikes against each other. The home side attempted to establish their dominance onto the field with fast and furious moves. However, the Spanish defenders denied all the efforts brilliantly.
In the mid-way to the first half of play, the Spanish team earned a short-corner. However, the Spanish player failed to convert the gifted chance into a goal. The game in the first 35 minutes of the play was filled with lot of strikes and counter-strikes,
but all their efforts went in vain. The first half of play concluded with Spain and Ireland at 0-0.
The speed of the game further increased in the second round, as the two teams were badly looking for a go-ahead goal. With the fast and furious style of play, both the teams created many chances in the form of short corners. In the first attempt, Ireland
failed to convert a short-corner in the early minutes. In the counter-attack move the Spanish player got the ball across the defence line and struck a powerful shot that hit the goal-post, opening the score at 1-0.
The maiden goal ignited the strikers of Ireland and they started a more aggressive style of play in search of equaliser. Emma Clarke, the legendary player from Ireland, managed to get the ball inside the 25-yard line and struck a flicking shot into the net.
With the goal, the scores between the teams were levelled. However, it was the offence style of play from the two sides and the match concluded with both the line-ups locking horns at 1-1.
One point was enough for Ireland to get the top position at the point table. But the solitary point could not pull over the Spanish team from the bottom line.
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