IRELAND 2 – 1 FRANCE
Sunday, March 8 – Santiago, Chile: The Ireland Men’s Hockey Team closed out their FIH Hockey World Cup Qualifiers with a win over France to take top spot in the tournament. Having trailed by a goal, Ireland fought back to 2-1 thanks to a Greg Williams brace. Ireland had to dig deep to deny France an equaliser, with goalkeeper Jaime Carr making several world-class saves to secure the victory for his side.
With both sides already qualified, Ireland and France battled for pride, with Ireland going in search of a fifth successive victory, while France looked to reclaim their World #9 status.
The tie got off to an energetic start as the sides battled for early dominance, Ireland produced the best opportunity of the early stages as a crash ball across the circle gave Louis Rowe an opportunity to deflect towards goal, but it hit his back stick and the game remained level.
Ireland began the second quarter superbly, finding good space down the left flank, Jeremy Duncan and Sean Murray connected well with Duncan having a strike on goal which was well saved. France responded well, building some phases in Irish territory and eventually working an opportunity to shoot in the circle, but Alistair Empey made a good block to deflect the ball high and wide.
France won the first penalty corner of the tie for a foot in the circle. They opted for a variation, working the ball back to the injector and back across goal where Louis Haertelmeyer touched it into the net.
Ireland responded, with Feargus Gibson doing well to break into the circle and find a foot to win a penalty corner. Greg Williams was the option from Ireland who rifled the ball into the net for his second of the tournament to draw Ireland level going into the break.
The intensity of the tie continued into the second half, as France immediately tried to restore their lead, but Ireland’s Jaime Carr kicked clear. Ireland went up the other end soon after, with three separate Irish players trying to get a shot off in the French circle, eventually though they worked the ball onto a French foot and Ireland won their second penalty corner. Greg Williams was the option once again, and the Corinthian player fired into the French net for his second.
France though immediately went in search of an equaliser, with Jaime Carr called into action, followed by a second chance that went just wide of the far post. Jaime Carr made a huge double-save in the closing minute of the third quarter to maintain Ireland’s lead.
The French pressure carried into the final quarter, with Kyle Marshall required early on to make a last-ditch block. Ireland, however, remained positive in attack looking unsatisfied with their two goals, but individual errors in the final third denied them chances at goal.
France withdrew their keeper with two and a half minutes remaining. A penalty corner with just over ninety seconds remaining gave France one last chance, but once again Carr stepped up to deny them with a superb stick save.
France won another penalty corner, but France hit the outside of the post. A third and final penalty corner went France’s way with three seconds remaining, but Ireland held out to secure victory.
Ireland’s win sees them secure top spot with a perfect record in the FIH World Cup Qualifiers in Santiago, Chile, and will also see the side lock down ninth in the World Rankings, their highest position since beating New Zealand at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. The team will turn their attention to the FIH Hockey Nations Cup this summer before the all-important FIH Hockey World Cup in August.