IRELAND 6 – 1 KOREA
Tuesday, March 03 – Santiago, Chile: The Ireland Men’s Hockey Team made it two wins from two in their FIH Hockey World Cup Qualifiers with a comprehensive 6-1 win over Korea. A brace for both Lee Cole and Louis Rowe, a first senior goal for Greg Williams and a goal for Matthew Nelson powered Ireland to their best ever win over Korea and guaranteed them a semi-final place and a shot at World Cup Qualification.
A calm and controlled start saw Ireland hold onto the ball and go through passing phases in the early stages against Korea, 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. Young Greg 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 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 Sean 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 Lee Cole converted for his third in two games.
Ireland maintained their momentum, with a fortuitous free ball in the circle allowing Jeremy Duncan to strike at the back post for Matthew Nelson to deflect in for Ireland’s third.
Not keen to settle, Ireland continued to attack proficiently. Ben Walker had a great opportunity to get Ireland’s fourth having done well to trap an aerial inside the circle but was denied by Jaehan Kim in the Korean net. A penalty corner came Ireland’s way a few minutes later when Jonny Lynch was fouled in the circle, but Greg 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. Jaime Carr was called into action soon after to maintain the two-goal cushion.
Ireland eventually were rewarded for their attacking efforts, with Louis 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 Louis Rowe following up to grab his second. Jeremy Duncan almost added the sixth but was denied by the post.
Louis Rowe almost completed his hattrick with two efforts on goal, but Kim was equal to both efforts. Lee Cole did add Ireland’s sixth from a penalty corner, finding the side netting to complete his brace. The seventh almost came, with Matthew Nelson having the best opportunity of the closing minutes, but his effort in the final two minutes went just wide.
The result, Ireland’s best ever against Korea, guarantees Ireland a place in the FIH Hockey World Cup Qualifiers Semi-Finals and a chance at securing a place at the 2026 World Cup. The side face Poland in their final match tomorrow at 12:00 Irish Time, with an opportunity to secure top spot.
The Ireland Women are up next, looking to replicate the Men’s result when they face Japan tonight at 18:45 Irish Time. The match is available to watch live on Watch.Hockey.