Ireland 0 - 3 Belgium; Day 2

22 Aug 2011


Ireland 0 (0)
Belgium 3 (2) De Vos x 2 6m & 34m; Van Lint 45m


On an evening that Captain Alex Speers won her 100th cap, Ireland will be desperately disappointed to come out the wrong end of a 3-0 loss this evening against a lower world ranked Belgium, in a match that saw the girls in green underperform to their usual standards.

Ireland were tested early with the first Belgium shot coming in on the 3rd minute, but Gray who has been superb in this tournament denied the efforts. Just three minutes later captain De Vos scored when she intercepted a loose ball to get a touch in at close range.

Ireland managed to find some rhythm after a difficult few opening minutes and they secured a number of penalty corners in the first half but the set pieces failed to come to fruition. Ireland dominated territory for much of the first half but lady luck was not with them today when against the run of play De Vos scored her brace a minute before half time for a 2-0 lead.

Ireland had another chance to close the gap in the 42nd minute but Sargents powerful shot just flew wide and just seconds later Belgium were back in the Irish circle forcing Gray off her line to block the attack.

Belgium sealed the deal in the 45th minute when Van Lint weaved into the circle her shot taking a deflection high into the net to make it 3-0 and put the game beyond the Irish girl's reach. Ireland fought to the end looking for a deserved goal but nothing came their way and they now find themselves in the relegation battle where they will most likely face Italy and Azerbaijan.

Commenting after the game Coach Muller could do little to disguise his disappointment for the players "I am deeply disappointed for the team, we did not start strong enough and Belgium fed off our mistakes, we did not have enough confidence"

  • Ireland starting XI: Emma Gray GK; Michelle Harvey; Cliodhna Sargent; Emma Smyth; Emma Clarke; Alex Speers; Shirley McCay; Sinead McCarthy; Aine Connery; Nikki Symmons; Chloe Watkins
    Reserves: Lisa Jacob; Niamh Small; Julia O'Halloran; Audrey O'Flynn; Lizzie Colvin
  • Belgium starting XI: Nadine Khouzam GK; Anouk Raes; Lieselotte Van Lindt; Lola Danhaive; Erica Coppey; Gaelle Valcke; Louise Cavenaile; Charlotte De Vos; Barbara Nelen; Jill Boon; Stephanie De Groof
    Reserves: Valerie Vermeersch; Emilie Sinia; Helene Delmee; Joy Jouret; Luara Patriarche