FIH Pro League: Spain 4-2 Ireland - Irish suffer third straight defeat

Lee Cole scored for Ireland in the 4-2 Pro League defeat by Spain

Ireland lost their third straight game in the Pro League as they were beaten 4-2 by Spain in India.

It was the first win in the competition for the Spanish who deserved the three points.

Their goals came from Enrique Gonzalez (2), Marc Miralles and Marc Reyne.

Ireland, making their first appearance in the Pro League, showed glimpses of the how they can play and were rewarded with goals from Matthew Nelson and Lee Cole.

Ireland coach Mark Tumilty continued with his squad rotation and left out captain Sean Murray, Daragh Walsh, Luke Madeley and Jonny McKee following Tuesday's defeat by Australia.

While Ireland goalkeeper Jamie Carr made a series of saves early on, there was nothing he could about Spain's opener as Gonzalez fired a rocket past him on the reverse stick.

Spain then hit a post before Miralles scored from a penalty corner, but Ireland pulled one back through Nelson, who turned home a Jonny Lynch cross.

As half-time approached Ireland had their best period of play in the game and scored from one of the best moves of the match.

Ireland came close to equalising early in the third quarter when Jeremy Duncan's shot was saved by Rafael Revilla.

They were undone defensively, however, by superb skill from Miralles along the baseline that eliminated three Irish defenders before he teed up Reyne.

To their credit, Ireland did not give up with hopes of a comeback restored when they were awarded a penalty stroke, which was converted by Lee Cole.

As they pushed for an equaliser Ireland were caught out by the counter attacking pace of Spain and they sealed the victory when Gonzalez scored his second of the game.

Ireland don't have time to lick their wounds as they face India on Friday.

"We fielded the most experienced team we probably could have today," said Tumilty.

"We've adapted from game one to game two and again to game three. We played in a slightly different style today.

"We hope that the things we have learned from this first round of games will stand to us in the games ahead of us next week and especially tomorrow [Friday] against India."