Olympic men's qualifier: Spain again frustrate Ireland's Paris ambitions in Valencia
- Published
Daragh Walsh (centre) forced the first penalty corner in Valencia but Ireland didn't make it count
Ireland men's will have to beat Korea on Sunday to earn the final Olympic place on offer after they lost 2-0 to Spain in the qualifier semi-final in Valencia.
After a goalless first half, Spain showed their class with two third-quarter penalty-corner goals from Rafael Vilallonga and Marc Miralles.
Ireland had earlier missed the first penalty corner of the contest.
Spain also beat Ireland in the women's semi-finals on Thursday in a shootout.
Belgium beat Korea 4-0 in the other last-four encounter.
That left the Ireland women also with a last chance for Olympic qualification when they face Great Britain in the third and fourth place play-off on Saturday.
"They changed their shape a little bit after half-time, but I think there's also some individual errors that just cost the goals in the end," said Ireland captain Sean Murray after Friday's defeat.
"Credit to them, they played well. They were the better side in the end, we gave them some troubles and unfortunately we fell short, but we have a second chance in a couple of days time."
Ireland were undone by Spain's two penalty corners in the third quarter in Valencia
Both sides spent the first quarter feeling each other out and chances were few and far between.
Johnny McKee was sharp for Ireland and he almost set up an opportunity for Jeremy Duncan, but the best effort came from Spain's Gerard Clapes who forced a good save from Davy Harte.
Excellent play from Daragh Walsh forced the first penalty corner early in the second quarter but Lee Cole's shot was saved by Spanish goalkeeper Luis Calzado.
The home side gradually got their possession game going as half-time approached, forcing Ireland back but the smothering Irish defence stood firm.
Spain upped the tempo at the start of the second half pressing the Ireland defenders high up the pitch.
Marc Reyne missed a glorious chance as he swung and missed the ball with only Harte to beat, but from their second penalty corner Spain took the lead.
The initial shot was superbly cleared off the line by Lee Cole but Vilallonga was on hand to bundle the ball into the net off the facemark of Harte.
'We were likely to end up in Sunday's game'
Spain had the tails up and their pressing forced Murray to turn the ball over and that led to another penalty corner.
Miralles shot hit Harte but the Irish goalkeeper couldn't keep it out of the net.
Ireland tried to mount a late comeback and Calzado denied Shane O'Donoghue twice in the closing minutes, but they'll have to regroup for the do or die clash on Sunday.
"If you look at the tournament format before it started, we were likely to end up in this game on Sunday," added Murray.
"There's no time to mope around, just get back on the horse and go again.
"We're ready for these big pressure games and this will be a big pressure game, you're playing on the line for the Olympics.
"We thrive in this scenario as athletes, this is exactly where we want to be, so we're looking forward to the challenge."
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