image source, ireland hockey
Ireland were winless in the eight-match series in India.
Ireland lost 4-0 against the hosts in the final match of the Pro League India series held at the Bursa Munda International Hockey Stadium in Lurkula.
Nrikanta Sharma converted a penalty corner in the 14th minute and Akashdeep Singh converted a field goal a minute later to give India a commanding lead.
Further goals from Gurjant Singh and Jugraj Singh sealed the victory.
Ireland ends the series without a win in eight games.
They came into this match having lost 7-0 against Spain on Saturday, but hopes were high that they could pick up a point after a narrow 1-0 loss to India earlier in the series.
Ireland had the upper hand early in the first quarter, with Peter McKibbin pushing the ball over the line, but the referee had already awarded Ireland a penalty corner.
However, two goals within 90 seconds turned the tide in India's favor.
Matthew Nelson was awarded a penalty and Sharma fired from the resulting penalty corner. Soon after, India went further ahead thanks to Akashdeep Singh.
With India leading at half-time, Ireland had two consecutive penalty corners overturned on appeal to the video referee.
India took a 3-0 lead in the 38th minute when Manpreet Singh set up a goal from Gurjant Singh and came close to scoring a fourth goal in the 45th minute, but Jamie Kerr saved from close range.
No further points were scored until the final seconds of the final quarter, when Jugraj Singh converted a penalty corner and scored.
Despite the loss, Ireland head coach Mark Tumilty was pleased with his team's performance.
“The response from the players was good. We created a lot of chances but failed to capitalize on them, while India proved to be clinical within our circle,” he said. Told.
“Although the result was not what we wanted, it was a satisfying performance to end this block.
“Overall, the development leading up to Paris has been a great experience. The players deserve credit for how they performed against the best teams in the world.”
