IRELAND 0 – [3 – 1] 0 JAPAN
Sunday, March 8 – Santiago, Chile: The Ireland Women’s Hockey Team held their nerve in a penalty shootout to beat Japan and book their place at the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup. The game remained scoreless after 70 minutes despite Ireland having the lion’s share of the chances, forcing a shootout. Elizabeth Murphy once again shrouded herself in glory, with the help of Sarah Hawkshaw, Hannah McLoughlin, and Jessica McMaster, helping Ireland to a 3-1 shootout win that secured World Cup qualification.
The tension was palpable on the field at the Estadio Nacional as Ireland got underway against Japan with qualification for the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup on the line.
Ireland composed themselves early, holding onto the ball well in the attacking half as they looked to find the gaps in the Japanese defence. Niamh Carey was a thorn in the side of the Japanese defence picking the pocket of her opposite number and working the ball into the circle to win Ireland the first penalty corner of the tie. Roisin Upton went direct, but Akio Tanaka made the save.
Katie Mullan was the next to strike at goal after a good pass from Hannah McLoughlin. The shot ended in a goalmouth scramble, but Japan once again cleared their lines.
Christina Hamill was the next Ireland player to latch onto the ball in the circle, finding a foot to win Ireland’s second penalty corner of the match. Roisin Upton was again the option, but her effort was blocked.
Niamh Carey closed out the quarter with an exceptional defence splitting run into the circle but was denied by Tanaka.
Ireland almost found their opener when Katie Mullan and Michelle Carey connected well. Carey pulled the ball back for Charlotte Beggs, but her first time effort went just wide of the near post.
A first effort on goal for Japan forced a save from Elizabeth Murphy, which released Ireland on a counterattack which almost ended in a goal, but Jessica McMaster’s effort was saved. Japan went up the other end and found an Irish foot inside the circle to win their first penalty corner, but Ireland defended well to keep the game scoreless.
Japan threatened early in the second half, flashing a ball past the back post in the first minute. Ireland, though, soon pinned Japan back again, as they went in search of a breakthrough goal. A shot came the way of Sarah Hawkshaw, but her effort was deflected wide. Emily Kealy was up next, picking up the ball under pressure, but she fired wide.
The game remained scoreless going into the final quarter, setting up a nervy end to a contest that had so much riding on it. Japan had the best chance early on from a penalty corner. But Ireland once again scrambled to deny them.
After a period of pressure from Ireland, Japan won the ball deep and broke quickly. They drew a foul inside the circle and won another penalty corner. The first effort ended in a re-award, with the second effort going wide. Ireland broke with speed and Niamh Carey got a shot off but Tanaka denied her.
With just over two minutes remaining Ireland found the gap in the Japanese defence through Hannah McLoughlin who found a foot to win a penalty corner. Ireland went back to Sarah Torrans who played it across goal, ending in a scramble in front of the goalkeeper. The ball came to Katie Mullan who found the back of the net, but the goal was ruled out for a back stick.
A heavy challenge on Ellen Curran with just over ten seconds remaining earned Ireland a penalty corner right on the death, but Japan defended and the game went to a shootout.
Ireland and Japan both scored their opening shootouts, with Hannah McLoughlin scoring Ireland’s second and Elizabeth Murphy saving Japan’s second. Emily Kealy was denied before Murphy pulled off another save. Jessica McMaster converted with Murphy providing the decisive save to book Ireland’s place at the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup.
Ireland will now turn their attention to their remaining FIH Pro League stages in June where they will continue their fight to remain in the competition, followed by their trip to the Netherlands and Belgium for the World Cup.