The pads, gloves and antics of Argentina goalkeeper Santiago Tomas finally put an end to Ireland’s Olympic campaign following a 2-1 defeat today.
Los Leones’ lively stopper proved a thorn in the Green Machine’s side as he saved a raft of penalty corners, a penalty stroke from Lee Cole and then saw his attackers land two set piece strikes at the other end to qualify for the quarter-finals.
This was a match Ireland had to win outright to keep their Olympic quest alive. And once again they gave it their all, mustering a host of penalty corner chances but without finding a way past Tomas.
Once again they ended in the ascendancy, finding mounting pressure in Argentina’s 23m. But they couldn’t find the vital goal from open play as they lost their fourth successive. They play their final match against New Zealand on Friday.
A tight opening spell saw Los Leones take the lead through Tomas Domene in the 17th minute, his flick seemingly taking a deflection and too hasty for David Harte.
Ben Walker had Ireland’s best chance as he neatly took down a Shane O’Donoghue aerial, his upright reverse well saved.
Ireland had a sight at goal with the next attack and appealed for a penalty stroke in the circle after their second penalty corner was saved. It went Argentina’s way and both sides had now lost their match referral.
It was an end-to-end, physical start to the second quarter, but this time Harte’s measured boot cleared danger.
In the heat, there was a heavy dose of needle too. Cole and Thomas Habif clashed on the sidelines during one crunching tackle which left the Argentinian grounded and the Irishman with possession.
Momentum was also with Cole in the Argentinian final third. Mark Tumilty, the Ireland coach, had called for more in the attacking 23m. And he was rewarded five minutes from half-time when Cole’s corner flick bulged the net.
Ireland couldn’t hold possession from the restart and Argentina made hay with their fourth penalty corner on the next attack. This time Maico Casella Schuth found a direct route to goal.
With both teams offering clinical low press, the penalty corner routines proved to be the best hope for either team. Ireland had two more bites at the cherry but Argentina and goalkeeper Santiago were equal to it.
Moments from the hooter saw John McKee mishit from two yards out. Little matter. A penalty stroke was awarded with the next variation after an illegal stop on the Argentinian line. After some delay tactics on the line from Santiago, Cole’s flick was saved by Santiago’s boot.