Paris — Belgium and Ireland both offered a fine defensive display in their Olympic men’s opener. But it was the Olympic men’s champions who profited from a fortuitous deflection and an incisive PC from Alexander Hendrickx.
The Belgian hitman lifted his fingers to the skies in memory of his influential grandmother who passed away last week. His goal led to a 2-0 victory over the Irish, who next play Australia on Monday.
Ireland headed into their Olympic entree with back-to-back victories over the Red Lions. Statistics prior to their recent Pro League matches made for grim reading: over 12 matches since 2009, Belgium had prevailed in 11 of them.
Moreover, the Pro League matches saw the Red Lions begin to find their groove, almost tapering into these Olympics thanks to Tom Boon – “With a bit of luck, I have to say,” he admitted later – and Hendrickx goals coupled with a tight defence (missing in the Pro League), with Vincent Vanasch making just one save of note.
Harte, who was forced into five key saves, said: “Knowing that you’re giving yourself for those 60 minutes against one of the best teams and the reigning Olympic champions, there have to be positives to take away.
“Knowing that it’s the opening game of the Olympics, everything comes pretty fast, and you’re not really able to digest all of it and process it in your mind. But that’s what video is for. That’s what we’re going to do.”
The first real threat of the game came from the Irish following a quick turnover, leading to Kyle Walker attempting to win a first PC but for a Belgium free out.
Belgium employed the aerial to create one of their first chances for Gauthier Boccard, whose slapped cross went just wide of Harte’s right post. Boccard was now proving a danger on the right, his next cross into the circle deflecting over Harte’s bar. The Cork stopper then saved from another circle deflection.
The Red Lions were now marauding the Irish defensive lines. But with penalty corner dangerman Hendrickx off the pitch, the Green Machine held out from successive setpieces.
Ireland endured sustained pressure in the second quarter, with Harte twice forced into action. He could do nothing about Belgium’s opener, however, with Boon deflecting and directing a slap into the circle past Harte.
But Ireland refused to be suckered onto the backfoot. With the next phase came a first corner chance, as Shane O’Donoghue’s flick was booted away by Vanasch.
Hendrickx was on the pitch for Belgium’s second, slinging low and left to evade both Harte and post man. And thus that is how it stayed as the Olympic champions got their campaign rolling against a spirited, forward-thinking side.
Coach Mark Tumilty said: “We can be proud of the performance. We probably lacked a little bit of belief which is understandable for the first time at this stage.
“We probably didn’t create enough chances but it’s a good learning curve.”
This game highlighted Ireland’s insistence of attacking and not being allowed to defend.
“We feel we are better with the ball. Belgium set up really well today with some key players on the ball,” he added.
The one concern for Ireland was Nick Page, who was hit in the circle. He will have an X-ray, but there were fears he may have a broken hand.
