Ireland 6-0 China
Alan Sothern scored a hat-trick as Ireland thrashed China 6-0 to seal their place in the quarter-finals of the Hockey World League in Antwerp with one pool game to spare.
A top-three finish in the tournament would guarantee Ireland a place at the 2016 Olympics while finishing fourth or fifth would also provide a strong chance of reaching Rio.
The first quarter of this Pool B encounter saw few chances for either side as both looked to settle into the game. The best opportunity fell to Shane O’Donoghue but his reverse stick shot was well saved by the Chinese keeper.
The early exchanges of the second quarter saw China try to test the Irish defence but it was the Green Machine who struck first as Sothern scored twice in quick succession, a swift strike followed by a reverse strike, to give Ireland a 2-0 lead. Sothern was again in the midst of the action and won a penalty stroke when he was deliberately fouled during a penalty corner.
The Chinese keeper saved the stroke, which was hit straight down the centre but Peter Caruth scored the third goal of the contest after a terrific link up between Michael Watt and John Jackson that set up a tap-in.
A slick move from Ireland leads to another goal IRL 4-0 CHN #HWL2015 #RoadtoRio http://t.co/S3cyroJV2w
— FIH (@FIH_Hockey) June 26, 2015David Harte was forced to make a stunning save in the first two minutes of the second half and an Irish counter-attack led by Sothern earned the Irish a penalty corner.
Gormley duly scored from an intricate PC routine to make it 4-0 before Sothern was given too much space by the Chinese defence and earned his hat trick a minute later.
Stephen Dowds was next on the scoresheet and scored the fastest goal of the World League semi finals so far with a 130km/hr shot from the top of the circle.
The positives of the quarter were marred by a neck injury to David Harte following a collision with a Chinese striker. Harte was stretchered off the pitch and FitzGerald took over for the remainder of the match.
The fourth quarter saw both teams' discipline tested - it was 9 vs 9 at one point thanks to several yellow cards - but no more goals followed and the match finished 6-0.
Today’s victory secured Ireland’s spot in the quarter-finals ahead of Sunday's final pool encounter against Belgium (5pm).
Ireland: Harte, Jackson, Gormley, Watt, Cargo, Sothern, O’Donoghue, Darling, Good, Gleghorne, Harte.
