The Irish Senior Ladies Hockey team drew 1-1 with Ukraine in their final pool match of the World Cup qualification tournament in France today. A win would have guaranteed qualification for next year's World Cup, now Ireland and India will play-off in a knock-out format against the third and fourth placed team from the other group for the two remaining automatic places.
Knowing that a draw would be sufficient to ensure their qualification, the Ukrainians defended in numbers from the start and were content to attack on the break. Ireland had chances to take the lead in the first half, notably from penalty corners but the game remained scoreless through the first half. Three minutes into the second half, disaster struck. Ukraine's star player, Tetyana Kobenzo, scored with Ukraine's second penalty corner of the game.
Shortly afterwards the Irish were dealt another blow when sweeper Arlene Boyles had to leave the pitch with a head injury. With qualification hopes on the line, the Irish raised the tempo again and gradually began to break the Ukrainian defence down. Linda Caulfield overlapping from right back added more width to the Irish attack and shorter passing movements proved more effective against determined tackling from the Ukrainians.
Driving forward, Jenny Burke won a penalty corner in the 48th minute. Portadown's Jill Orbison stepped up to hand the Irish a lifeline. Her penalty corner strike left the Ukrainian goalkeeper no chance and Ireland were back in the match with 22 minutes left to play. Unfortunately, it was not to be. Irish goalkeeper Tara Browne, earning her fiftieth cap, kept hopes alive with a fine save in the last ten minutes while at the other end, the ball flashed agonisingly wide of the far post with only a couple of minutes to play. At the final whistle, it was Ukraine who got to celebrate, the draw ensuring their ticket to Perth.
Ireland must wait for results from the other pool to determine their next opponents. A win on Saturday guarantees qualification but anything less and the squad will need to win on Sunday to earn a three match series against the USA in February for the final World Cup place.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
