Belgium 1-2 Ireland
Ireland collected their first points of the FIH Pro League season with a stunning victory over hosts Belgium in Antwerp, their first success over a nation currently ranked second in the world.
It was a superb performance from the team who defended when necessary and attacked with purpose when those opportunities presented themselves.
Belgium were fast out of the blocks and Ireland were on the back foot in the opening stages of the match.
Ireland's first counter-attack was launched by captain Sean Murray, who turned in a man-of-the-match performance. Murray passed to Louis Rowe whose attempted shot was blocked by Alexander Hendrickx's foot and Ireland were awarded a short corner. Luke Madeley's drag flick was deflected behind for a long corner. Ireland managed to retain possession from the long corner but closer to the halfway line than the 23 metre line. A long aerial pass found Daragh Walsh, who passed to Louis Rowe. But he was penalised and it resulted in a free hit to Belgium.
In the 10th minute, Ireland were awarded a penalty corner. The Belgians referred it to the video umpire but they lost their referral in the process. Despite not scoring from the penalty corner, Ireland retained possession and when the ball found its way back into the circle, Matthew Nelson scored from close range to give Ireland a 1-0 lead.
Vincent Vanasch saved for Belgium early in the second quarter.
In the 20th minute, Lee Cole's through ball sent Murray through and he was stick-tackled inside the semi-circle and Ireland were awarded a penalty stroke. Cole made no mistake and Ireland were 2-0 ahead.
Mark Ingram made a great save from Hendrickx at the edge of the semi-circle. Tom Boon also had a shot over the bar in the 28th minute.
Ireland's replacement goalkeeper Jamie Carr was called into action early in the third quarter, saving from Boon.
Nelson Onana cut into the Irish semi-circle and accidentally hit Boon on the head, a free hit was awarded to Ireland.
Victor Wegenez got a green card awarded against him in the 39th minute and Belgium were down to 10 players.
Ireland appealed the award of a penalty corner to the video umpire. Jamie Carr denied Cedric Charlier, who shot from a penalty corner in the 41st minute.
Ben Walker was green carded in the 43rd minute leaving Ireland down to 10 going into the third quarter break.
Ireland were still 2-0 ahead but it was almost inevitable that Belgium would claw a goal back, and they did. It came from a cross by Guillermo Hainaut and took a wicked deflection off Madeley.
Despite replacing their goalkeeper with an extra attacker and bombarding the Ireland goal, there was no way through and Ireland held on for an historic win.
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