Ireland 6-1 Korea
Ireland recorded a second consecutive victory at the FIH Hockey World Cup Qualifiers in Chile with a resounding 6-1 win over Korea to guarantee themselves a place in the semi-finals.
Braces for both Lee Cole and Louis Rowe, a first senior goal from Greg Williams and a goal from Matthew Nelson powered Ireland to their biggest win over Korea.
A calm and controlled start saw Ireland hold onto the ball and go through passing phases in the early stages, eventually working the ball into the circle on two occasions, the best of which gave Sean Murray a chance to strike at goal, but his effort was saved.
Korea kept Ireland contained for most of the opening quarter until Johnny McKee connected with Jeremy Duncan, who won a penalty corner. Williams was the option and he found the back of the net with a powerful flick to break the deadlock with a minute remaining in the quarter.
Korea ended the quarter with a penalty corner of their own, scoring via Jang Jong-hyun at the second time of asking to equalise.
Ireland remained patient in the second quarter, taking their time to unpick the Korean deep block.
A chance from a penalty corner went begging early on after some good play from Murray, but Ireland continued to ask questions.
Some individual brilliance from Murray gave Ireland a chance to regain the lead after he won the ball and played a one-two to create the space to strike at goal. His effort was saved but Ireland were awarded a penalty stroke for a foul in the follow-up, which Cole converted for his third in two games.
Ireland maintained their momentum, with a fortuitous free ball in the circle allowing Duncan to strike at the back post for Nelson to deflect in for Ireland’s third.
Ben Walker then had a great opportunity to get Ireland’s fourth having done well to trap an aerial inside the circle, but was denied by Kim Jaehan in the Korean net.
A penalty corner came Ireland’s way a few minutes later when Jonny Lynch was fouled in the circle, but Williams’ flick went just wide.
Lynch, though, was penalised down the other end for a stick tackle inside the Irish defensive quarter, and Korea were awarded a penalty corner which Ireland defended.
Ireland eventually were rewarded for their attacking efforts, with Rowe evading his opposite man and slapping into the top corner to extend Ireland’s lead.
The fifth came not long after, with Alistair Empey hitting the post with a sensational strike and Rowe following up to grab his second.
Duncan almost added the sixth but was denied by the post.
Rowe almost completed his hat-trick with two efforts on goal, but Kim was equal to both efforts.
Cole did add Ireland’s sixth from a penalty corner, finding the side-netting to complete his brace.
Ireland face Poland in their final match tomorrow at noon Irish time, with an opportunity to secure top spot.
