Shane O’Donoghue’s 112^th international goal had Ireland ahead in the seventh minute but a quick reply from Francois Sior in the 13^th minute levelled the scoreline and no more changes were made to it.

Thereafter, it was a maze of patience as the Italians – ranked eight places below Ireland in 22^nd – defended deep and resolutely to offer up limited chances.

The result leaves both sides on four points after two games with Ireland knowing a win of any description against world number 40 side Croatia will see them through to the semi-finals and a confirmed place in the World Cup qualifiers.

“Credit to the Italians, they defended well, stuck to their guns and then went for the long high ball while we didn’t hit fourth or fifth gear,” was O’Donoghue’s assessment.

“We didn’t play with the same level of aggression to the game against Poland. There were some sticky patches which we had to weather and we played good stuff at times but the bounce of the ball didn’t go our way.”

After a slightly slow Irish start saw them concede a second-minute penalty corner, Jonathan Bell’s side soon found a fruitful avenue of attack with O’Donoghue’s accurate crossfield overheads causing plenty of danger.

From the left-wing, he often picked out Tim Cross overlapping down the right and it produced Ireland’s first corner from which O’Donoghue cracked home his 112^th international goal with a low drag-flick in the seventh minute.

But the lead was short-lived as a flurry of Italian attacks ended with a loose clearance falling straight to Sior who unleashed a rocket into the roof of the goal.

The second quarter was incredibly tight with few sights on goal as Italy sat deep, looking to counter while the Green Machine enjoyed more possession but found the defence hard to unpick.

The O’Donoghue-Cross connection continued to threaten the Italians but the pair found no success when it came to goals.

The second half was more open with Ian Stewart’s silky skills almost unlocking the door while a fast counter between Ben Nelson and Cross ended with a shot charged down.

Jeremy Duncan cracked one into the backboard but an earlier free-out was called, adding to the frustration. A third Irish corner deflected high from O’Donoghue’s powerful flick into Michael Robson but was deemed dangerous and it proved the last major opening.

While the game stretched, both defences were well controlled, picking off neat tackles in their respective circle.

The post-match body language suggested Italy were much the happier with the outcome – their first result from their last six meetings with Ireland, dating back to 2005.

O’Donoghue said after the match that there was plenty to take from the tie for the young line-up.

“We had a few corners which we needed to capitalise on but this is tournament hockey and we have to learn from it. It is never smooth sailing and you never know what to expect.

“They play their style which is frustrating to play against. I don’t think they caused us too much damage but, from our end, we didn’t have create enough chances.”

Ireland have a quick turnaround with Croatia – playing at this level for the first time – are next on Wednesday afternoon at 4.45pm (Irish time).

“Tomorrow, it is important we don’t go hell for leather from the start. It is important we stick to the gameplan; we know it works from the Poland game,” O’Donoghue continued.

“All the teams are here for the same thing and want to win it, get that gold medal and move up the world rankings.

“We will get back to basics, not make those mistakes, get our forwards more into the game, take some chances and we will be fine.

“We will research the Croatians and go into it with good belief we can get the job done.”

Ireland: J Milliken, T Cross, J McKee, K Marshall, S O’Donoghue, S Murray, M McNellis, P McKibbin, M Robson, B Walker, B Nelson

Subs: D Walsh, K O’Dea, N Glassey, J Duncan, F Gibson, I Stewart

Italy: F Padovani, M Garbaccio, N Mondo, A Nunez, Julian Montone, T Keenan, J Munafo, F Sior, M Mondo, F Harte, M Amorosini

Subs: J Ortega, Juan Montone, D Arosio, C Brocco, F Blom, L Stramazzo

Umpires: T Meissner (GER), F Weiland (AUT)

The post Ireland Held By Italians In Second EuroHockey II Game appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

The two sides had flattered to deceive in their group games until they both earned convincing wins in their final matches to earn progression.

Both sides’ faults were clear throughout the game, but so were their strengths.

Pedri’s own goal was a horrible outlier in an otherwise fantastic debut international knockout game performance for the Barcelona starlet.

His 49-yard mistake is the longest-ever own goal in the European Championships and the first own-goal to be scored outside of the box.

However, Pedri and his side recovered to march into a 3-1 lead deep into the second half.

Pedri has completed 21/22 passes in the 1st half whilst creating a big chance for Koke & then helping orchestrate the Spain equaliser. 18 years old – this kid is special.

— Premier League Panel (@PremLeaguePanel) June 28, 2021

The Croatian defence struggled to contain Luis Enrique’s Spanish side, who are known for creating chances.

Cesar Azpilicueta became Spain’s oldest goalscorer at the competition while Ferran Torres became the youngest to score and assist at a major tournament for Spain since Cesc Fabregas v Russia at Euro 2008.

Dinamo Zagreb star and slayer of Tottenham Hotspur had something to say in reply.

The 28-year-old netted his side’s second after a desperate scramble in the Spain box and assisted their injury-time equaliser, a Mario Pasalic header.

Pasalic became the fifth Atalanta player to score at Euro 2020, with the club becoming only the fourth to reach that achievement.

Enrique’s failure to utilise players on his bench with the ability to help close games out (Marcos Llorente and Thiago Alcantara) cost him.

Dani Olmo is the first player to assist 2+ goals in a knockout game at #EURO2020.

He did it in the space of just three extra-time minutes too. pic.twitter.com/tjhn5CVChx

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) June 28, 2021

However, his decision to bring on Dani Olmo put the game back in the hands of the Spaniards as the RB Leipzig star crafted two excellent goals to kill the game in extra time.

As well as Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini, Julian Nagelsmann can take pride in Euro 2020.

Patrik Schick has been on fire in the competition and Dani Olmo’s performance adds to the list of Leipzig players with good performances at the competition.

The game is the second-highest-scoring match in the history of the competition, after France 5-4 Yugoslavia in 1960.

Spain also became the first side to score five goals in consecutive matches at the competition, after beating Slovakia 5-0 last Wednesday.

They march on to the quarter-finals, where a date with hard-working Switzerland awaits.

Switzerland v Spain kicks off at 5 pm on Friday, July 2nd.

The post Euro 2020: La Roja Run Rampant In Eight-Goal Thriller appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

England and Croatia kick-off Group D of the 2020 UEFA European Championship on Sunday, 13^th June at 14:00.

England enters the competition as one of the favourites to win it.

They have a squad filled with players entering their prime.

However, they will be missing Trent Alexander-Arnold after his injury against Austria.

Brighton centre-back Ben White has replaced the Liverpool right-back in the squad.

Harry Maguire may miss the opener through injury, but White is a capable deputy.

In contrast, Croatia is stumbling into the competition after poor showings in the UEFA Nations League and recent international friendlies.

A muscle injury has sidelined Croatia’s Dejan Lovren since April, per Transfermarkt, and his possible absence may be a big one.

As a result, Marseille’s Duje Caleta-Car is expected to line up in his place.

The midfield will be the most interesting matchup of the game.

The youthful trio of Declan Rice, Mason Mount and Jude Bellingham will be involved in England’s midfield.

However, Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson could also make an appearance.

Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic and Mateo Kovacic can start in the centre of the pitch for the Croatians.

The Croatian midfield will be where most of their attacks begin.

Whoever dominates the middle of the field may end up on top at the final whistle.

Manchester City wingers Phil Foden and Raheem Sterling will be available for selection after joining up with the squad following their UEFA Champions League final loss.

Andrej Kramaric could return to the Croatian starting lineup after being sidelined for Dinamo Zagreb’s Bruno Petkovic up top.

Predicted Lineups

England (4-3-3): Jordan Pickford; Kyle Walker, Ben White, John Stones, Luke Shaw; Declan Rice, Mason Mount, Jude Bellingham; Jadon Sancho, Harry Kane, Phil Foden.

Croatia (4-3-3): Dominik Livakovic; Sime Vrsaljko, Domagoj Vida, Duje Caleta-Car, Borna Barisic; Marcelo Brozovic, Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic; Ante Rebic, Andrej Kramaric, Ivan Perisic.

Betting

England 4/6

Draw 13/5

Croatia 9/2

Result Prediction

England 2-1 Croatia.

The post England v Croatia Preview, Predictions And Betting appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

The teams in Group D are Croatia, Czech Republic, England, and Scotland.

This is the only group in which none of the sides has previously won the European Championship.

A 2018 FIFA World Cup semi-final rematch will take place and the England-Scotland rivalry will be renewed.

CROATIA

Croatia enters the Euros with their last major tournament appearance being a loss in the 2018 World Cup final.

13 of the players in that 23-man squad make up half of the Croatian’s squad for Euro 2020.

The side is once again raring to go with many of the chosen players in their prime or nearing it.

The midfield will be the most important part of the pitch for Zlatko Dalic’s side.

Marcelo Brozovic and Luka Modric are still ever-present in the side and Mateo Kovacic has become a regular.

However, the chequered ones have been poor in recent times with an abysmal Nations League campaign.

They are not as strong as they once were, but if they hit the ground running, they could go far.

If they do not, it could be one to forget for the Croatians.

CZECH REPUBLIC

The Czech Republic qualified second in their qualifying group, having snatched victory against England in Prague.

They come into this summer’s tournament boasting some talented players among their ranks.

18-year-old Adam Hlozek can show big clubs why they should sign him this summer after a superb season for Slavia Prague.

A hard-working midfield includes captain Vladimir Darida, Jakub Jankto and West Ham’s Tomas Soucek.

Soucek’s clubmate, Vladimir Coufal, will be a threat on the right side of the field.

The side pales in comparison to Croatia and England on paper though and will need a statement performance to help them through.

ENGLAND

England, on the other hand, needs to live up to statements made by the fans and the media if they want the European Championships to come home this summer.

Yeh our warm-up performances were a bit boring but it doesn’t matter because football is still 100% coming home pic.twitter.com/IJqq5SMdXE

— England Extra (@EnglandExtra) June 6, 2021

Gareth Southgate’s selection confused some as it appears that some positions are short on numbers and others involve players lacking fitness.

Another worry is the number of games many of their squad have played.

Burnout is possible this summer.

This will need to be a risk that pays off if the side wants to follow through on the aspirations of the many.

Declan Rice will offer support for the defensive line, whether it be two or three at the back, and Mason Mount will do similar for the forwards.

Harry Kane’s all-round qualities will be on display as England will look to make use of their pacy wingers and full-backs (possibly one of their centre-backs too).

The utility of certain players – Kyle Walker and Kieran Tripper for example – will be visible for all to see.

England will play all their group games at Wembley, giving them an advantage over their opposition before the game has begun.

If they avenge their World Cup semi-final loss to Croatia, they should have no trouble topping the group, but England has a history of creating trouble for themselves in major tournaments.

SCOTLAND

Scotland is the final member of Group D and is in their first major tournament since the 1998 World Cup.

Steve Clarke has turned the side’s fortunes around and they are enjoying their football now.

Premier League talents feature for the side while the strikers in the squad offer a range of attacking threats.

The use of two left-backs allows Scotland to play their two best players and it overloads the left flank.

Midfielders such as John McGinn can also offer a direct route of attack.

Leeds United’s Liam Cooper and Norwich’s Grant Hanley partner each other in defence but will have tough assignments against Kane, Hlozek and Croatia’s firepower.

Home advantage against Croatia and the Czech Republic is something Scotland could be thankful for.

Group D Fixtures:

England v Croatia Sunday, 13th June 14:00.

Scotland v Czech Republic Monday, 14th June 14:00.

Croatia v Czech Republic Friday, 18th June 17:00.

England v Scotland Friday, 18th June 20:00.

Croatia v Scotland Tuesday, 22nd June 20:00.

Czech Republic v England Tuesday, 22nd June 20:00.

Betting Group D Winner

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