Tuesday, August 18 – Wavre, Belgium: The Ireland Men’s Hockey Team secured a 4-1 victory over South Africa, recording their first FIH Hockey World Cup victory since 1978 in the process. Having gone a goal down in the third quarter, Ireland turned the game around thanks to a Ben Walker goal, a brace of penalty corners from Player of the Match Lee Cole, and a finish in the final minutes from Sam Hyland to put the game beyond reach.
In a must-win game for both sides to keep top-two hopes alive, South Africa were the quicker of the teams out the blocks, mounting a number of attacks which Ireland weathered in the early stages.
Ireland soon gained control, forcing Cullin De Jager into two saves. Penalty Corners followed, but De Jager was once again on hand to keep Gregory Williams at bay.
A scrappy, end-to-end second and third quarter followed as both sides continued to size each other up. South Africa had the more notable chances of the period, Jaime Carr stepping up to deny them on more than one occasion. A rare error at the back provided South Africa with their best chance of the quarter, Kenton Melville converting in spectacular fashion to give South Africa the lead.
Ireland, though, had a response. Peter Brown drove well into the circel from the right hand side and connected with Fergus Gibson. Gibson played an inviting ball towards the penalty spot where Ben Walker battled fiercely to get the decisive touch to divert the ball goalward and draw Ireland level.
With their tails up, Ireland continued to push in the final quarter, winning a penalty corner that Lee Cole fired into the top corner to propel Ireland into the lead. Another penalty corner with less than five minutes on the clock gave Cole a second opportunity at goal, one he grabbed with two hands to give Ireland a two-goal lead.
The icing on the cake came with a minute to play, Louis Rowe playing the ball across the circle where Sam Hyland was waiting at the right post to stop and slap home to grab a fourth.
Speaking after the game, Player of the Match Lee Cole said:
“We started a little bit slow, we improved but then found ourselves behind. But unbelievable character to come back and get a win. It’s the stuff we dream of.”
Discussing the performance of his fellow defenders, Cole said:
“I don’t think we left a lot to be desired out there. Jaime Carr, Peter McKibbin; unbelievable. Everyone in our back four today were unbelievable.”
Ireland Head Coach, Mark Tumilty said:
“Going behind probably helped us. When we went behind we started to be more aggressive in our press, we stole a bit more ball and could play off that.
It shows the character of the group to grind that result out. I am not convinced twelve months ago we would have.”
The result means Ireland keep themselves within the hunt for a top two finish in Pool C, with a draw against Spain on Thursday enough to see the side progress.
Both the Ireland Women and Men close out their Pool C matches on Thursday, August 20. The Ireland Men are up first, taking on Spain at 16:00 Irish Time, followed by the Ireland Women who face World Cup hosts Belgium at 19:30 Irish Time.
Both games are available to watch live on RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player in the Republic of Ireland, and on Watch.Hockey around the world.
Be the first to comment on "Ireland Men Secure Convincing World Cup Victory Over South Africa"