Ireland confident after tense draw against Korea

Ireland star Eugene Magee insists nerves aren't a problem for his side as they approach the business end of the Electric Ireland FIH Road to London Olympic qualifier in Dublin.

Despite hitting 18 goals against Ukraine and Russia last weekend, Paul Revington's side made a lot of unforced errors in the opening quarter of last night's 1-1 draw with tournament favourites Korea.

It set the tone for what was a nervy encounter throughout as a packed Belfield willed the hosts towards a positive result which keeps their hopes of reaching Sunday's final in their own hands.

And Belgium-based Down native Magee dismissed the notion that his side were on edge as the stakes were raised against the world number six Korea.

"We were coming in on the back of a 12-0 win (over Ukraine) and our confidence was high," he said.

"We knew Korea and their tactics and the details about them and were confident going into the game. I wouldn't say we were nervous at all."

Ireland's next test comes tomorrow against Chile (6pm). The hosts will be expected to defeat the world's 26th-ranked side easily but the South Americans showed they are no pushovers, holding second seeds Malaysia held at 1-1 at half-time before their resistance was finally broken in the second half.

Alexis Berzcely and Martin Rodriguez are their main dangerman while Jan Richter provides the short corner expertise.