Sothern’s late strike gives Fulton first win

HOCKEY: Alan Sothern and David Harte were Ireland’s heroes as they notched a first win for new coach Craig Fulton in Kuantan yesterday, seeing off Japan 1-0 in the Champions Challenge I.

Sothern struck with four minutes to go after Harte had made animportant penalty stroke save to deny Kei Kawakami. The result lifted Ireland — fielding a somewhat inexperienced side — to second in their pool on goal difference above the Samurais and Poland, who were thumped 8-3 by New Zealand, and gives them a relatively favourable quarter-final tie with France.

“David got man of the match, he wasn’t overly busy during the match but the two saves he had to make were huge,” said Fulton afterwards.