Ireland: Special chinese takeaway for Irish  x2
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| Irish Hockey |
June 11, 2005 
Belfast Telegraph, UK
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NATIONAL women's coach Riet Kuper was full of praise for her team after Ireland held China to a 0-0 draw in Korea yesterday at the Six Nations tournament.
The Dutch woman was delighted with the result, especially as China are ranked fourth in the world compared to Ireland's 13.
"We are trying out a few things and we played a very tactical game today which produced a very good result," she said.
"We didn't give away many goalscoring opportunities and I was very pleased with that."
China had the chance to take the lead from a penalty corner at the break but great work from Hermes star Linda Caulfield blocked the strike.
The second half saw China come out more physical and within 10 minutes Catriona Carey was forced to leave the pitch after receiving an elbow to the nose.
Carey, who has just returned to the Irish squad for the first time since 2000, was able to rejoin the action but Ballymoney midfielder Bridget McKeever had to miss the remainder of the game when she was caught across the arm with a stick.
The Co. Antrim player was taken to hospital as a precaution but fortunately her x-rays came back clear.
As the game progressed China searched desperately for a goal but their efforts were in vain as Ballymoney keeper Angela Platt pulled of a couple of fine saves.
Three minutes from time Ireland's first day hat-trick hero Eimear Cregan came close to grabbing the winner but her short corner attempt was well saved by the Chinese keeper.
Ireland now have a rest day before tackling England tomorrow, followed by clashes with India and Malaysia later in the week.
Elsewhere yesterday hosts Korea picked up another win, this time defeating Malaysia 7-0 while England managed to snatch another point,draw following their 1-1 draw with India.
IRELAND: Platt, Caulfield, Carey, McKeever, McDonough, McVicker, O'Brien, Orbinson, O'Neill, Burke, Parkhill. Subs: Goode, Cregan, Symmons, Casey, Hodgins.
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