Ireland 2-0 Korea
Ireland grabbed a third win on the bounce against Korea to take maximum points as they topped their pool in the FIH Hockey Nations Cup in Chile.
Ireland took the lead in the second quarter when Sarah Torrans dribbled past two of Korea's defenders and calmly found the back of the net.
Mikayala Power doubled the lead in the fourth quarter, deflecting in from a Christina Hamill delivery, grabbing her second senior international goal in just her third appearance.
Korea started the brighter of the two, creating an early goalscoring opportunity early in the first quarter that Ireland goalkeeper Elizabeth Murphy made no mistakes in dealing with.
A yellow card for Emily Kealy not long after, meant Ireland had to see out most of the opening quarter a player down, slowing their ability to take control of the game.
They eventually regained their steer, with Ireland testing the Korean resolve early in the second quarter.
Power fired just wide of the post after finding space well, with Torrans just centimetres away from getting a crucial touch at the back post. Niamh Carey then created another opportunity, playing a ball across goal towards Katie Mullan, which again evaded the Irish attacker by a fine margin.
Ireland would eventually break the deadlock. Niamh and Michelle Carey combined well on the press to win the ball deep in Korean territory, Michelle Carey found Torrans on the edge of the circle who's winding run took her past two defenders before she calmly pushed into the bottom corner to open scoring.
Ireland continued to control the game in the second half, dominating most of the possession. An early chance for Mullan was deflected over and was followed up with a penalty corner that was well saved.
Ireland eventually doubled their lead in the final quarter, with Power getting on the end of a perfect delivery to the back post from Hamill to deflect into the net, grabbing her second goal of the tournament, and sealing Ireland’s third win of the Pool stage.
Ireland will face the world number 14 and Pro League side the USA in their semi-final on 1 March after they were undone by hosts Chile in their final pool game.
Ireland and USA have not met in an official matchup since Ireland's historic silver medal in the 2018 World Cup, with Ireland winning that encounter 3-1. Ireland will hope to put in a similar performance as they set their sights on a place in Sunday’s final.
