Ireland seal highest World Cup finish despite loss

Ireland will face either New Zealand or Pakistan ninth place at the World Cup following Sunday’s 2-1 defeat by France.

Mark Tumilty’s side knew they were going to top the crossover Pool H before they took to the pitch in Wavre after South Africa and Malaysia had drawn 3-3.

Previous wins over both those countries meant Ireland could not be caught.

This perhaps helped to explain the performance against France who themselves were looking to avoid being in the classification game for last place.

It means Ireland will enter Friday’s game assured of their their highest-ever finish, regardless of the result, having previously finished 12th in 1978 and 1990.

France strike late for victory

Both sides struggled to create any meaningful chances in the first half and it took until halfway through the third quarter before the first penalty corner was awarded.

It was Ireland who took the lead when Jeremy Duncan’s pressure turned the ball over and he then rounded the goalkeeper and slotted home the opening goal.

France continued to press hard and after being denied twice from a penalty corner, Victor Charlet fired his side level.

It was all France in the final quarter but just when it seemed Ireland were going to hold for a draw, Timottee Clement popped up to turn the ball past Jamie Carr from close range with just over a minute remaining to secure a place in the game for 13th place and vital world-ranking points.

“Just a disappointing result, to be honest,” said Ireland’s Sean Murray of the defeat.

“In the end, I think we knew we were through to the ninth-to-tenth playoff, but it’s important for ranking points and going forward for next year.”

Ireland and France have been battling in the world rankings for the sixth-placed European side which would see them seeded and guaranteed a quarter-final place at next summer’s EuroHockey finals instead of playing in an elimination pool.

With the quarter-finalists most likely securing a place in the Olympic qualifiers, there is a lot to play for in terms of the finishing position at the World Cup.

As Ireland are guaranteed to finish above France, it should secure that sixth seed for the Euros but that will only be confirmed once the tournament is over.

“Of course we knew for the rest of the tournament where we sat already going into the game after the result beforehand,” Murray added.

“We also knew it’s really important for next year, for the Euros with the higher-ranked team getting an automatic quarter-final.

“But every game we want to go out and get the win. It’s always disappointing when you go out and you don’t get it in the end. Credit to France, they’re a top side.”