Relentless Ireland one step away from World Cup qualification
Ireland’s Sarah Torrans celebrates with teammates after scoring her side's first goal in the FIH Hockey World Cup Qualifiers against Canada in Santiago. Pic: Frank Uijlenbroek/Inpho
Ireland 5
Canada 1
Ireland are one win away from sealing qualification for the World Cup after an emphatic win over Canada in Santiago yesterday.
Despite going a goal down, the side showed no sign of panic, efficiently overturning the goal deficit before half-time through Sarah Torrans and then Caoimhe Perdue. Further goals from Torrans, Jessica McMaster, and a first senior international goal for Amy Handcock put the game beyond doubt. Ireland’s win sees them top Pool B, setting up a semi-final clash with the second-place side in Pool A on Saturday at 11:15pm Irish Time.
Ireland were the team in control from the off, with Emily Kealy producing the first opportunity of note as she played an inviting ball towards goal on her reverse forcing Canada goalkeeper Marcia Laplante into early duties. Laplante was kept busy for the minutes that followed, with Kealy eventually winning a penalty corner. Hannah McLoughlin slapped at goal, but the ball was deflected wide.
Canada though were energetic in possession, winning a penalty corner of their own which forced Holly Micklem into her first save. Canada won a second penalty corner soon after which they converted to break the deadlock. A third penalty for the Canadians, gave Ireland further work to do in the final seconds of the quarter, but Ireland defended it well to keep it a one score game.
Ireland connected better in possession after the restart, with the best piece of build-up play ending in a good strike from Katie Mullan which was saved. A penalty corner won by Mullan soon after forced Laplante into another series of saves which she was equal to as Canada maintained their lead.
Ireland finally breached the Canadian net to draw level, Niamh Carey striking across goal on her reverse for Sarah Torrans to touch in. Sarah Hawkshaw almost added Ireland’s second unleashing a fierce strike at goal, but her effort was parried away.
Niamh Carey closed out the first half with some excellent attacking play to win a penalty corner which gave Caoimhe Perdue the opportunity Ireland had been looking for to take the lead.
A frenetic period made for a slightly frantic start to the second half as neither side enjoyed long passages of possession. Ireland though remained the greater danger, Hannah McLoughlin winning the ball in defence and launching a counterattack which ended in Katie Mullan finding Sarah Torrans who deflected home for her second of the tie and Ireland’s third.
Ireland didn’t have to wait long for their fourth. Niamh Carey played another dangerous ball across the face of goal which Canada’s Laplante failed to clear allowing Jessica McMaster to touch in.
It was one way traffic as Ireland continued to enjoy a dominant period, with Charlotte Beggs next to strike at goal, but her effort was higher than intended and Canada breathed a sigh of relief.
Ireland showed no signs of stopping as they continued to press Canada high, with a handful of opportunities coming the way of Katie Mullan, Charlotte Beggs, and Emily Kealy, but Laplante remained resolute in net. One last penalty corner in the last thirty seconds gave Ireland a chance to add a fifth which they duly took, Amy Handcock dragging into the back of the net to open her senior international account.
Ireland's Men's team play their semi-final against Wales on Friday at 10:30pm Irish Time with a chance to secure their World Cup Qualification.
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