2018 Woman's World Cup (London)

Strazdas

Surprised people are predicting Ireland will take a hammering. Yes, NL are a step above any team the Irish have played in this tournament but they have a very strong defence and don't give up chances easily.

If they're to lose it, I can see them keeping it to a 1-0 or 2-0.

cdeb

The Dutch have been hammering better teams than Ireland in this tournament. Fatigue for amateurs must be a slight factor too. It's entirely possible it will be one-sided. It mightn't be, but it's not surprising people are predicting it

Strazdas

cdeb wrote: »

The Dutch have been hammering better teams than Ireland in this tournament. Fatigue for amateurs must be a slight factor too. It's entirely possible it will be one-sided. It mightn't be, but it's not surprising people are predicting it

Normally a team in any sport with a good defence is a team with a good defence. Ireland wouldn't want to be conceding early though ie. going 1-0 down after five minutes, that's where the real danger of a hammering could lie.

cdeb

For sure. It's like Ireland under Jack Charlton in a way; built on not conceding and never really got thumped as a result.

But the amateur v best in the world by a considerable distance bit would worry you a little bit

A 5-0 defeat would be better than any of the Dutch group opponents managed, but might take some sheen off the overall achievement. But I hope it doesn't happen

feargale

Biggest worry: In their last two games, against India and Spain, Ireland tired visibly in the second half and lost concentration. London temperature forecast: 28-29 at 4 p.m.

Strazdas

cdeb wrote: »

For sure. It's like Ireland under Jack Charlton in a way; built on not conceding and never really got thumped as a result.

But the amateur v best in the world by a considerable distance bit would worry you a little bit

A 5-0 defeat would be better than any of the Dutch group opponents managed, but might take some sheen off the overall achievement. But I hope it doesn't happen

It does look though like NL came through a very poor pool. The two other teams from their pool were both eliminated at the crossover stage, which would suggest it was the weakest pool of the four.

It's not unknown for a team to run riot in a WC final but fingers crossed it doesn't happen today.

realdanbreen

Cork Boy 53 wrote: »

Yes, on RTE2 and BT Sport 3.

Don't see anything on RTE about it?

Joe_ Public

Should be coming on now after the hurling.

I see Ireland are 9/1 outsiders with the bookies which gives an indication of the task ahead. Team spirit can get a team some distance though and I doubt they’ll be found wanting on that front. Here’s hoping anyway.

Strazdas

Joe_ Public wrote: »

Should be coming on now after the hurling.

I see Ireland are 9/1 outsiders with the bookies which gives an indication of the task ahead. Team spirit can get a team some distance though and I doubt they’ll be found wanting on that front. Here’s hoping anyway.

Nobody will mind if they lose to the hot favourites but hopefully they can acquit themselves well in the final.

c.p.w.g.w

Strazdas wrote: »

Nobody will mind if they lose to the hot favourites but hopefully they can acquit themselves well in the final.

Think the fact they reached the final is a fantastic achievement for them. Hopefully it'll also provide young girls a sport that they can look up to. As girls sports teams in soccer & rugby don't exist in large areas of the country. Even in GAA some areas may have only a couple of teams in varying age grades, which aren't as suitable for them

Itssoeasy

realdanbreen wrote: »

Don't see anything on RTE about it?

4:05pm.

Joe_ Public

Strazdas wrote: »

Nobody will mind if they lose to the hot favourites but hopefully they can acquit themselves well in the final.

Remember when we knocked the Dutch out of the 2002 football WC and it turned out afterwards that they’d already booked their finals accommodation and made all the arrangements. I’m hoping against hope for a repeat scenario.

Mr_Man2121

My heart is racing already

Itssoeasy

Hockey isn't high on the royal family's duties it seems.

Itssoeasy

The tune of the Dutch national anthem sounds familiar. The tune I mean sounds familiar.

Itssoeasy

Irelands call. Utter rubbish. I mean fair enough there was a song needed for all island sports, but is this the best they could come up with ?

ShamoBuc

Great rendition, great to see the smiles on their faces!

Itssoeasy

ShamoBuc wrote: »

Great rendition, great to see the smiles on their faces!

The gave it socks alright. Shame it's a poor song.

taytobreath

come on Ireland.

I dont think I ever watched more than 10 minutes of a hockey match before. But I'll watch all of this.

Mr_Man2121

Holland are ****ing good. Hon Ireland

Skid X

ShamoBuc wrote: »

Great rendition, great to see the smiles on their faces!

Yeah, their attitude has been amazing from the start.

Never any signs of nerves, it generates huge confidence and they inspire each other to play to their best.

Strazdas

Good positive start : they're trying to take the game to the Dutch at every opportunity

Spoke too soon....that's what NL do though, can't fault the Irish effort at all though so far

Itssoeasy

Ah feck it.

Cows Go µ

Damn it - hopefully they keep their heads up because they were holding their own before the goal

Strazdas

Only problem with the goal is that it has settled Dutch nerves and their tails are up. Ireland still playing well within themselves though.

Mr_Man2121

It's fantastic how much support this Irish team has. Even this thread had 30 posts after the group stages were over now it's at 207. Fantastic.

Itssoeasy

The Dutch are very good(well that's my assumption not being a hockey expert)

Mr_Man2121

Only 1-0 is great to be fair

taytobreath

It's a good game. I'm enjoying it. They are defending well in fairness to them. I think they will work their way into this game the further it goes.

I hope.

Strazdas

Mr_Man2121 wrote: »

Only 1-0 is great to be fair

Ireland have actually defended extremely well, they've been very disciplined