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.

Ireland’s women resume their CC1 campaign in Glasgow against the USA today (11.30am) needing victory to top their pool and avoid big guns Korea in the last eight.