Ireland head coach Mark Tumilty admitted his disappointment at losing 4-2 to world champions Germany in their final FIH Pro League match of the India stage but believes there are plenty of positives to build on.
The Irish led on two occasions — first when Matthew Nelson opened the scoring in the first quarter and then when brother Ben fired home from close range in the second.
However, Germany responded to both setbacks and the sides went in at half-time level at 2-2.
Two goals in the final quarter — a controversially converted penalty corner and a penalty stroke — saw the world champions take the points.
“The guys carried out the game plan very well in the first three quarters and were a little unfortunate to concede the second goal just before half-time,” said Tumilty.
“The penalty corner for their third goal — could we have referred it? I am not convinced that it was trapped outside the circle.
“And that penalty stroke award for their fourth goal, I am not convinced that is a penalty stroke at this level.
“A disappointing result but a lot better than yesterday.
“That performance is a nice way to end this block and gives us something to build on ahead of the blocks in Antwerp and Amsterdam in June.”
Follwing some early chances for both sides, Matthew Nelson finished a well-worked move to give Ireland the lead at the end of the first quarter. Germany found the back of the net almost immediately, but the goal was chalked off upon review.
The Germans eventually did get their equaliser in the second quarter, Erik Kleinlein firing a reverse shot into the roof of the net.
Ben Nelson then grabbed Ireland’s second from close range to restore the one-goal lead, but the advantage was only temporary as Germany won a short corner with two minutes remaining in the first half.
They opted for a variation executed well by Thies Prinz to put the sides back on level terms.
The third quarter was a cagey affair, with both sides happy to play patiently.
Opportunities did come up at both ends but neither side could find the net in the battle to seize an advantage.
Germany eventually seized control of the game in the final quarter as a penalty corner resulted in a controversial goal for the Germans, giving them the lead after 49 minutes for the first time in the game.
Ireland continued to ask questions of the German defence as they sought an equaliser this time but their opponents found answers on each occasion to keep them out.
The world champions won a late penalty stroke when Michel Struthoff was brought down inside the penalty circle by Ben Ryder, with Malte Hellwig converting the opportunity to secure the points
Ireland: Jamie Carr (GK); Matthew Nelson; Daragh Walsh; Kyle Marshall (C); Peter McKibbin; Ben Pasley; Jonathan Lynch; Ben Nelson; Ben Johnson; Ben Ryder; Nicholas Page