Santiago, February 27: Ireland Women grabbed a third win on the bounce against Korea to take maximum points as they top their pool in the FIH Hockey Nations Cup in Chile. Ireland took the lead in the second quarter when Sarah Torrans dribbled past two 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 the majority of the opening quarter a player down, slowing their ability to take control of the game.
But take control they eventually did, with Ireland testing the Korean resolve early in the second quarter. Mikayla Power fires just wide of the post after finding space well, with Sarah Torrans just centimeters away from getting a crucial touch at the back post. Niamh Carey then created another opportunity, playing a ball across goal towards Katie Mullan, again which evaded the Irish attacker by just centimeters.
Ireland would eventually break the deadlock. Niamh and Michelle Carey combined well in the press to win the ball deep in Korean territory, Michelle Carey found Sarah 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 the 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 Mikayla Power getting on the end of a perfect delivery to the back post from Christina Hamill to deflect into the net, grabbing her second goal of the tournament, and sealing Ireland’s third win of the Pool stage.
Speaking after the game, Head Coach Gareth Grundie said:
“I think we were very much in control of the game. We probably left a few chances out there on the field, but 3 wins, 3 clean sheets, and winning the Pool; we’ll take as a real positive and take it to the semi-final on Saturday.”
Regarding Ireland’s potential opponents in the Semi-Final, Grundie said:
“It looks like it will be the loser of the USA v Chile game who will be our opponent on Saturday in the semi-final. We have been following Pool A all along and have most of the homework done on potential opponents. We will watch these next games now and will have a plan for Saturday.”
Ireland will play their Semi-Final match on Saturday, March 1 at 21:30 Irish Time, against the second-place side in Pool A. The game will be available to watch live on YouTube Sport TG4.