England 1-0 Ireland
Ireland were beaten 1-0 by England in the Hockey World Cup this evening in London, but still finish top of Pool B and will face Italy or India in the quarter-finals.
The strong England side only broke Ireland down in the final quarter after converting from their 14th penalty corner.
England edged the opening exchanges and it was their captain Alex Danson that drew the first save of the game but Ayeisha McFerran was equal to the shot and booted the ball clear.
Ireland duo Ali Meeke and Nicci Daly combined well at the other end before Daly sent a pass across the circle but there was nobody on the back post for the tap in.
England kept the pressure up and forced three penalty corners in the opening quarter but Yvonne O’Byrne put huge pressure on Laura Unsworth at the top of the circle to prevent her efforts.
The half ended with England notching up 13 circle entries but the discipline and structure of the Green Army defence limited the clear cut chances.
The second half started in similar fashion, with England on top and McFerran was called upon to make yet another great save as Sarah Haycroft poached the ball in the circle but she made the double save and cleared with her stick.
Ireland did have their moments however and Megan went close when she left two defenders in her wake and fired the shot goalward only for it to be deflected wide. The Green Army won 3 penalty corners in quick succession with the final one being saved by Hinch.
However England finally broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute courtesy of Giselle Ansley’s drag flick that was deflected into the net.
The Green Army very nearly had an equaliser in the dying moments as Anna O’Flanagan sent the ball into the circle but Duke was unable to get the vital touch.
Regardless of the result, Ireland still sit top of Pool B and progress to the quarter finals on Thursday where they will play either India or Italy.
