IRELAND: Shoot-out success over India sets up hockey semi-final with Spain

Ireland women will step out on Saturday for the first time in a World Cup semi-final following shoot-out success over India.
By The Newsroom
Published 2nd Aug 2018, 20:58 BST
Updated 31st Aug 2018, 17:11 BST
India's Sunita Lakra and Neha Goyal foul Nicola Evans of Ireland in the Vitality Hockey Women's World Cup quarter-final. Pic by INPHO.India's Sunita Lakra and Neha Goyal foul Nicola Evans of Ireland in the Vitality Hockey Women's World Cup quarter-final. Pic by INPHO.
India's Sunita Lakra and Neha Goyal foul Nicola Evans of Ireland in the Vitality Hockey Women's World Cup quarter-final. Pic by INPHO.

The thrilling 3-1 penalty shoot-out triumph marked a dream finish to the hard-fought quarter-final - setting up as a result a last-four clash with Spain on Saturday from 4.30.

A tight match at the Lee Valley Hockey Centre ended goalless.

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Ireland goalkeeper Ayeisha McFerran denied three of India’s four attempts, allowing Chloe Watkins to convert the decisive penalty,

Ireland were the second-lowest ranked country coming into the tournament and reached the quarter-finals by topping Pool B ahead of India and hosts England.

Anna O’Flanagan had an excellent chance to put them ahead in the second quarter but, after being picked out by captain Kathryn Mullan, her effort was smothered by India goalkeeper Savita Punia.

India, who finished fourth in the competition in 1974, were beaten 1-0 by Ireland in the pool stages.

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They gradually grew into the game in the second half and saw a penalty corner superbly saved by McFerran as the match ended in stalemate.

Irish trio Roisin Upton, Alison Meeke and Watkins then converted their penalties, while McFerran kept out efforts from India players Rani Rampal, Monika Malik and Navjot Kaur to seal success for Graham Shaw’s side.

Related topics:IndiaIrelandSpainEngland