Ireland keep Hockey World Cup hopes alive with thrilling New Zealand win

Ireland must now get a positive result against Belgium in their final group game on Thursday

Róisín Upton on Ireland's clash with Belgium: “Hopefully there will be a great atmosphere and the Irish have travelled in numbers out here which is phenomenal.” Pic: Ben McShane/Sportsfile

FIH Hockey World Cup: Ireland 3 New Zealand 2

A buoyant Roisin Upton believes that Ireland “can compete with any team in the world” after the Green Army kept their Women’s World Cup hopes alive with a fighting 3-2 win over New Zealand on Tuesday.

In a reverse scoreline from their defeat to Spain, an open play strike from captain Sarah Hawkshaw, penalty stroke from Upton and a pivotal penalty corner deflection from Katie Mullan set up a final group game clash with Belgium on Thursday.

This was a spirited and confidence-boosting victory from Gareth Grundie’s side as Ireland's defence and counter-attacking vigour came to the fore against the higher-ranked Kiwis.

“We were disappointed after the Spanish game that we couldn't hold on for a draw at least,” said Upton.

“Coming into a World Cup is tricky but we have shown over the last 12 months that we can compete with any team in the world and in tournament hockey anything can happen.” 

As the lowest-ranked team in their pool, Ireland now have that chance against the co-hosting Red Panthers, with rivals Spain playing New Zealand to determine the top two placings.

The Black Sticks, who have endured drastic funding cuts in recent seasons, had more possession, circle entries and penalty corners in this mid-morning encounter. But Caoimhe Perdue later hailed Ireland’s “patient” performance as key to their first points of this campaign, coupled with a third win in four against New Zealand.

“We stepped it up with more attacking play and were threatening on the counter and solid on the defence, we are very happy with that performance,” added Perdue.

It was the Kiwis who had the better of the opening salvos with two chances going wide of the post. Undeterred, Ireland won a brace of set pieces. This was going to be Ireland's best option to decide their World Cup fate, but both were kept out by Grace O’Hanlon’s defence.

A swift turnover midway through the second quarter saw two quick interchanges and Hawkshaw tipped in brilliantly from close range.

Danger lurked before the half-time hooter when Briytany Wang pushed across goal but couldn't find an attacking stick. It was the Kiwis' best chance of the half.

New Zealand had four successive corner opportunities in the third quarter. All three were spurned until they finally found the net with their fourth in the 35th minute, after reverting to a slip pass option, and Emelia Surridge flicked home.

The free-flowing Hawkshaw was then left celebrating a sweetly-struck reverse hit as a watchful and somewhat confident O'Hanlon let the ball pass into the net. It was deemed just outside the circle, but it was a mighty close call when it went to video review.

To the final quarter and when Hannah Cotter was handed a yellow card, Ireland looked to snatch the advantage with the extra player. It proved immediate after an illegal block from their next penalty corner. Up stepped Upton, who calmly beat O'Hanlon from the resulting penalty stroke.

Ball retention was now key for Ireland and so were their set pieces. The latter arrived with four minutes left when Upton went direct with her corner drag and Mullan deflected high into the net.

Katie Doar scored for New Zealand with 13 seconds left but the damage had been done by Ireland's own penalty corner attack.

Upton said: “They are a quality side and we know they have changed their style with a more man-to-man approach compared to zonal but we did our homework.” 

Mullan, whose positioning proved telling when fed by Upton for Ireland’s third, said: “We showed great resilience and executed our corners again which are really threatening. I am so proud of the girls, it was just unbelievable strength of character.” 

Ireland must now get a positive result against Belgium, who hold a four-match unbeaten run against Grundie’s side. But Ireland will no doubt note their win against Belgium at the 2019 EuroHockey in Antwerp.

With a dozen players set to play in the top Belgian club leagues next season, they will also know plenty of the world No.3 side.

“There is a familiarity which will help and you dream of playing the host nation in their own stadium at a World Cup,” added Upton. “Hopefully there will be a great atmosphere and the Irish have travelled in numbers out here which is phenomenal.”