Ireland go down battling to India in thrilling second game of two-match series
Ireland's second encounter against India on home soil saw them come out of the blocks quickly as they looked to improve on the performance from the previous day.
Early periods of possession allowed Ireland to settle into the game and produce chances.
India did, however, managed to work themselves into the game eventually producing a number of circle entries late in the opening quarter, but Ireland defended soundly to keep the scoreline level.
The first penalty corner of the game would go the way of India in quarter two, with Harmanpreet Singh's drag-flick deflected wide by the Irish defensive penalty corner team.
Ireland responded, winning a penalty corner of their own which was well saved off Luke Madeley.
The resulting long corner saw India steal the ball and break quickly, eventually breaking the deadlock when Lakra Shilanand finished off the smooth counter attacking move.
Ireland's intensity continued into the second half as they looked to find a route back into the game.
Sustained pressure and good counter-pressing kept India pegged back deep in their own half for long periods as Ireland looked to break their way into the Indian circle.
A rare India attack gave them an opportunity at goal which they didn't squander, Dulpreet deflecting home on the back post to double their lead.
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The home side responded almost immediately, however.
An attacking move down the left almost straight from tip-off saw an inviting ball into the circle reach Louis Rowe, the Banbridge forward did well to find an inch of space and flick goalwards, squeezing the ball into the side-netting to grab Ireland's first goal and half the deficit.
It was almost exclusively one-way traffic in the final quarter, with Ireland throwing every remaining ounce of energy at India as they searched for an equaliser.
An incisive run from Mark McNellis and clever piece of skill won Ireland a late penalty corner and a golden opportunity to equalise with just seconds remaining.
Luke Madeley's effort from the corner looked destined to end up in the back of the net, but the attempt was parried wide thanks to a textbook save from the India keeper. India walked away as 2-1 victors.
Both Ireland and India will now travel to Amstelveen to face the Netherlands in their next stage of the FIH Pro League.
Ireland will face the Dutch on June 11 and 12 at 7pm Irish time, with both games available to watch on the TG4 player.
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