Ireland women's hockey head coach Gareth Grundie has told RTÉ Sport that their focus is now on the classification tournament following the 0-0 draw with Germany last night.
Ireland did not manage to win any of their three pool stage games, which saw them miss out on the semi-finals, while also failing to score. However, after an improved performance against Germany, attention now turns to classification.
Ireland will first face Scotland tomorrow (11.30am) before taking on England on Sunday (11.30am). England's sole win in Pool B came over the Scots in the first round, who themselves managed a draw against Spain a day later.
That means Ireland head into their final two matches ranked in seventh place, but they are targeting a strong finish and to keep improving on their performances.
Speaking after the game last night in Monchengladbach, Grundie told RTÉ Sport that, "we have the home nations, England and Scotland, two very tough games.
"We want to just keep trying to improve on tonight’s performance and try to pick up a couple of results."
The goal is clear for Grundie and his squad.
"It becomes a new tournament and one we want to try and win. So, we want to try and win Pool C," he added.
Ireland came into their final pool game with the tournament hosts needing a two-goal victory, and although they didn’t manage it, the Ireland head coach was pleased with their performance.
"I think we matched them tonight and we had our opportunities. If we can just tidy up on a few of those small things, we could be a challenge", he told RTÉ Sport.
"They’re all quality players and they’re still sitting inside the top 6 in the world. They’re still in pro leagues, still challenging other teams.
"They’re still a really good side and technically on the ball very good."
Ireland had an early penalty corner saved, which could have been the catalyst to kick on, especially with France’s heavy defeat at the hands of the Dutch knocking them out ahead of Ireland’s game.
The inability to take their scoring chances will have frustrated Grundie, but after a first clean sheet against a top side, he didn’t want to get bogged down on what went wrong.
"Obviously if you can score early in that first quarter, it will put them under pressure, but we had other opportunities. A couple of corners there that we didn’t execute. It’s not just one moment.
"Overall, as a group we have to look at the small details and we didn’t quite get them right either today."
For now, if Ireland can defeat Scotland and England they will give themselves a shot at a fifth-place finish.
