Ireland beat China to secure quarter final spot
June 26, 2015
Ireland 6 (Sothern 3, Caruth, Gormley, Dowds) vs China 0
The first quarter saw few chances for either side as both looked to settle into the game. The best chance fell to Shane O’Donoghue but his reverse stick shot was well saved by the Chinese keeper.
The early exchanges of the second quarter saw China try to test the Irish defence but it was the Green Machine who struck first. Alan Sothern scored twice in quick succession; a quick strike and a reverse strike saw Ireland take a 2-0 lead. Sothern was again in the midst of the action and won a penalty stroke when he was deliberately fouled during a penalty corner. The Chinese keeper saved the stroke which was hit straight down the centre. Caruth scored the 3rd goal of the contest after a terrific link up between Watt and Jackson that set up a tap-in.
David Harte was forced to make a stunning save in the first 2 minutes of the second half and an Irish counter attack lead by Sothern earned the Green Machine a penalty corner. Gormley duly scored from an intricate well worked PC routine to make it 4-0. Sothern was given too much space by the Chinese defence and earned his hat trick a minute later. Stephen Dowds was next on the scoresheet and scored the fastest goal of the World League Semi Finals so far with a 130km/hr shot from the top of the circle,6-0.
The positives of the quarter were marred by a neck injury to David Harte following a collision with a Chinese striker. Harte was stretchered off the pitch and FitzGerald took over for the remainder of the match.
The 4th quarter saw both teams discipline tested and it was 9 vs 9 at one point thanks to several yellow cards but no more goals were to follow and the match finished 6-0.
Today’s victory secured Ireland’s spot in the Quarter Finals with 1 pool game still left to play. Ireland next play Belgium at 5pm on Sunday 28th June and the match will be shown live on Sky Sports 1.
Source : Irish Hockey
