Sweltering heat and a wonder goal from China's Ren Baobe combined to give Ireland a losing start to the Gold Cup tournament in Bangladesh yesterday.
Ireland were caught cold by a brisk start from the Chinese who were two goals up by the interval and well on their way to a victory in this the first meeting of the two countries.
The opener came on 17 minutes when goalkeeper Nigel Henderson was deceived by a low flick from Song Yi at a penalty corner. And 10 minutes later Baobe defeated Henderson from an outrageous angle with a phenomenal shot. Ireland stepped up a gear after the break, pulling one back through a drag flick from Chris Jackson but that was as good as it got for the Irish.
Today Clarke's men play a Malaysia side still licking its wounds after defeat by Egypt in their first game.
IRELAND: N Henderson; D Smyth, B Waring, E Lutton, J Black, M Raphael, S Butler, N Buttimer, D Clarke, J Stevenson, J Sherriff. Subs: M Black, P Brown, G Elliott, C Jackson.
