Ireland miss first Olympic chance in Spain shootout defeat

Ireland suffered an agonising shootout loss against hosts Spain in the Olympic qualifier semi-final in Valencia and must beat either Great Britain or Belgium to reach the Paris Games.

Victory would have guaranteed Ireland an Olympic spot and the Irish had the better of much of the contest.

Ireland bossed the penalty corner count 3-0 but couldn't make them count.

With the game still goalless at full-time, Ireland failed to score in the shootout which Spain won 3-0.

Ayeisha McFerran saved Laia Vidosa's opening shootout attempt but Clara Perez then denied Roisin Upton before also stopping Sarah Hawkshaw and Hannah McLoughlin's efforts.

Julia Strappato's cool finish put Spain on the brink of victory as they moved 2-0 and captain Maria Lopez's cheeky lob over McFerran sent the home players and fans into raptures as the hosts clinched their Paris spot amid Irish deflation.

Ireland captain Katie Mullan spoke of her pride immediately after the game and vowed that she and her team-mates would regroup for their second Olympic chance on Saturday against either Great Britain or Belgium.

But it will a big task for the Irish after they came so desperately close to securing their Paris berth in Thursday's contest.

Ireland started the game on the front foot, dominating possession in the first quarter and creating a couple of half chances.

Mullan had the first opportunity but her shot was wide of the post and then Spanish goalkeeper Perez was forced to make two saves from Niamh Carey and a deflection from her own defender.

The second period followed the same pattern with Mullan forcing another save from Perez but Spain did create their first real chance when good play in the circle from Blanca Perez saw her shot go wide although there was no team-mate on the back post to finish the move off.

Spain began the third quarter with a period of pressure that Ireland coped with well.

However the Irish wasted two penalty corners at the other end and finished the quarter with the best chance of the game. Deirdre Duke turned in the circle and fired a shot on goal but Perez made a great kick save.

The fourth quarter was a nervous affair from both sides with Spain having more possession but Ireland defending their circle with care as the game went to the shootout that had looked inevitable as the clocked ticked on.