Ireland 0 Germany 7:Gene Muller's side got a rude awakening in their opening EuroHockey Nations Championship game as they lost heavily to the reigning champions earlier today in Amsterdam.
In the context of Muller’s aim of maintaining ‘A division’ status, the result may ultimately prove immaterial but the manner of defeat may cause him some headaches ahead of tomorrow’s vital fixture against Scotland.
He said after the game that playing a top side like Germany in peak form was always likely to be a major challenge for his young charges:
“It was a difficult assignment playing a German side who have been in a medal match in every major competition for a long time. There was a major quality difference, but not only that, they played very well. We need to recognise that fact once an opposition like that, it becomes a bit of damage control.
“It is a bit of a shock to play against a side like this, especially if you have a young team and you have to be aware this is part of the team’s education. It’s not the end for Irish hockey but a continual building for the future. Disappointed, but you have to take your medicine sometimes.
“What we take from the game is that we were able to change, especially our intensity, in the second half. We were too timid in the first half, so our challenge now is to start with that physical intensity against Scotland.”
Goal from Anke Kuhn, Natascha Keller and Fanny Rinne gave Germany a 3-0 half-time lead before two well-taken strikes from Maike Stockel and corner strikes from Rinne and Julia Muller completed the scoring.
Ireland improved in the second half, showing more bite in the tackle and won two penalty corners but were unable to make a dent in the deficit.
Muller must now lift his charges quickly for an early start on Sunday against the Scots.
“The Scotland game is a critical game for us, it was always going to be. Staying up, that’s the premier objective. After that, even a point against Scotland and we may have a chance of playing for a World Cup place against Spain. By the end of tomorrow, the objective is still to be in the tournament.”
Ireland:M Goode, R Flinn, E Cregan (capt), E Clarke, E Stewart, B Cleland, S McCay, N Symmons, E Smyth, L Jacob, M Harvey. Subs:C Sargent, C McKean, A Speers, L Colvin, M Frazer