Ireland 3 Spain 2:The Irish women's hockey team has made it through to the final of the Olympic Qualifying event in Belgium. Following a tense 3-2 over the world 11th ranked side, Spain, Ireland ensured their place in Sunday's final, which is likely to be against host Belgium.
Only the winner on Sunday will earn a place in the Olympic Games this summer. Ireland has never played hockey in an Olympics before, a win on Sunday ensuring this Irish team a place in history.
Ireland had the perfect start to the match when they earned a short corner after just five minutes following good approach work from Aine Connery. When Audrey O’Flynn’s drag flick at the set piece beat the Spanish goalkeeper to the left for 1-0 it was as good as Ireland could have hoped for.
But their lead was short lived when just a minute later Spanish veteran Barbara Malda followed up on a save from Irish goalkeeper Emma Gray and her reverse stick drive drew the sides level 1-1.
Ireland’s attack was clearly going well and on 28 minutes they earned their third corner of the game. Again O’Flynn was at hand to make the important delivery and Ireland took the game to 2-1 heading into half time.
It was a physical, competitive game with the umpires showing plenty of cards to both sides. In all there were six shown as Spain fought for their lives having already lost to Belgium earlier in the week.
But Ireland kept up the pressure and when Spain were reduced to ten players Ireland extended their advantage when Irish captain Alex Speers scored Ireland’s third goal from play for 3-1 with just nine minutes remaining.
Spain put on pressure in the dying minutes and pulled a goal back but Ireland clung on for the 3-2 win
Ireland will meet Belgium in the final pool game before they play in the Sunday final, which at this stage is likely to be against Belgium again for a place in London 2012.