Loss leaves World Cup dream hanging on clash with Egypt

IRELAND, defeated 1-0 by Belgium Saturday, must overcome Egypt this morning to keep alive hopes of qualifying for the Hockey World Cup.

Though the Irish had eight penalty corners they failed to score against a resolute Belgian outfit.

The disbelief that they had dominated this encounter and still come away with nothing has been tempered by a shared resolution that they remain on track to make the fourth to eighth place crossover series, provided they win today, and a crack at securing the vital fifth qualification place for the finals in Germany in September.