Updated 28 Feb, 2013

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Ireland moved another step closer to progressing as they compete for one of the two qualification places awarded following the World League round two in Delhi as they saw off Oman 7-2 in a scrappy game. It leaves Ireland in second place in the competition, an outcome which if held after Sunday will see them advance into round three and a step closer to the 2014 World Cup qualification prize.


Alan Sothern started their goal scoring run with his seventh goal of the tournament and would later move up to eight to lead the tournament rankings while Mitch Darling’s second half double helped him earn the man of the match award.



Sothern’s first came 15 minutes in when he was found by a lovely reverse pass five meters out and a one touch shot saw the ball in the back of the net. The green machine doubled up when Geoff McCabe’s right wing cross took a heavy deflection from Salim Ali Al Zadjali. Oman remained aggressive and lively throughout and managed to sneak one back via Mohamed Hubais Al Shar’s heavily deflected drag-flick in the 28th minute. It came during a particularly messy spell in which a string of  cards were dished out. However, Ireland quickly reasserted their control when Conor Harte dragged home the third just before half-time.

Ireland came out in the second half with much greater conviction, Sothern held off several rough tackles to claim another goal. Darling’s took a shot which found a gap at the near post and his second soon after made it 6-1 with 27 minutes still to play. The game done and dusted, the tie was an exercise in frustration as Al Shar pulled one back from a penalty stroke. Davy Carson applied a delicate chip to Eugene Magee’s assist for 7-2 but the closing minutes saw Ireland struggle to find a route through a packed defense.

Coach Andrew Meredith felt his side could have been much more precise in their goal scoring but was pleased to see his side in good shape going into the final round of games in the competition. “I’m happy with the three points,” he said afterwards. “It puts us in a very good position to finish second. That was always the objective. There were clearly a lot of things that happened on the field that we didn't deal very well with and we got far too distracted with elements outside of our control.  Meredith continued “But we had 15 circle penetrations in the first half. That shows tenacity. We weren't as effective as we should have been but we created enough going forward to score seven goals.”

Nonetheless, Ireland meet China in their final game, hitting off at 4pm (10.30pm, Irish time). The world number 19 side have been below par this tournament with 13 rookies in their midst but Meredith says they are not to be under-estimated, “They are a difficult team to analyse because they have a lot of inexperience. Historically, they are technically very good and if they combine on the day, they can be very strong. They've been inconsistent so far but they are definitely still a threat tomorrow.”





Ireland comfortably defeat opponents Oman in FIH World League Round 2