Ireland: Bronze On Irish Agenda
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| Ireland |
June 16, 2005
News Letter, Ireland
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By Ruth Gorman
Ireland face a rematch with China in Korea today with an unexpected bronze medal finish at stake after a 4-0 win over Malaysia yesterday.
Riet Kuper's girls took on the Chinese last Friday and chalked up a shock result, holding them to a 0-0 draw.
China are the highest world ranked team at the competition, nine places above Ireland, who are 13th.
The girls in green will be hoping to go one better today and defeat their opponents to claim the third spot.
Going into the tournament, Ireland's realistic target was to avoid bottom place but they have surprised many by getting to this stage, which is an excellent boost ahead of August's European Nations Cup in Dublin.
University of Limerick striker Eimear Cregan became Ireland's top goalscorer of the Asian campaign when she found the target twice yesterday to make it five goals in five games.
Ireland started quite slowly but Cregan broke the deadlock in the 14th minute after good work in midfield by vice captain Jenny Burke.
After that the chances kept coming and the Irish won four penalty corners in the space of eight minutes, but failed to convert them.
However, three minutes before the break Catriona Carey produced a lovely ball for Cregan, who was unmarked at the edge of the circle, and her beautifully struck shot gave the keeper no chance.
It took only two minutes after the restart for Ireland to extend their lead further.
Captain Lynsey McVicker paired up with Linda Caulfield to set up Burke at the edge of the circle, whose first time strike found the net.
The girls in green continued to dominate but it wasn't until the dying moments that they were rewarded again for their efforts.
Caulfield found McVicker and she snatched a last minute goal to leave Ireland convincing winners.
The Ballymoney star had double reason to celebrate as she was making her 140th appearance for her country.
Starting team: Goode (GK), Hodgins, McKeever, O'Brien, Connery, Carey, Caulfield, Burke, McVicker, Symmons, Cregan.
Subs: Beaney (16), McDonough (10), Casey (16), O'Neill (22), Parkhill (43).
Other results: Korea 1 England 2, India 1 China 2.
Today's final classification matches: (5th/6th) India v Malaysia; (3rd/4th) Ireland v China; (1st/2nd) Korea v England.
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