Preview: A golden opportunity to claim an upset win lost, the Indian women’s hockey team would be aiming to make amends when it takes on a lower-ranked Ireland in its second game of the World Cup on Thursday. India had a bright chance to score an upset win against World No 2 England in their Pool B opener on 21 July but settled for a 1-1 draw. The Indians only had themselves to blame as despite leading the English girls for 54 minutes, they conceded a late goal to share the points. [caption id=“attachment_4829371” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Rani Rampal looking to enforce an equaliser. Image courtesy: Twitter @TheHockeyIndia[/caption] World No 10 India will fancy their chances against World No 16 Ireland, but it would be a serious mistake by the Sjoerd Marijne-coached side if they take the Irish lightly. By virtue of their stunning 3-1 stunning over World No 7 USA, the lowest ranked side in the group, Ireland are currently leading Pool B just ahead of England and India. And a win on Thursday would secure Ireland’s place in the knock-out stage of the tournament. The Indians, on the other hand, would be desperate to score their first win in the tournament today. But it would be easier said than done as they will be up against an Irish side which has the capability of springing surprises. India lost 1-2 to Ireland in the HWL Semi-finals in Johannesburg last year and revenge would be high on the Rani Rampal-led side’s agenda when it takes the turf. The Indian coaching staff and senior players like goalkeeper Savita feel that defeat was history and they have the firepower to beat Ireland. “We have done well against Ireland in practice matches in the past,” she said. “In the match last year, we were leading and should have won for sure but conceding two penalty corners one after another proved costly. We have a strong defence and play an attacking brand of hockey, this is a potent combination and makes us strong as a side,” she asserted. But the Indians will have to lift their game by few notches for that to happen. Against England, they failed to earn a single penalty corner, leaving dragflicker Gurjit Kaur frustrated. However, goalkeeper Savita was brilliant under the bar to deny England on numerous occasion. The Indians did create more chances from open play against England and that counted as a positive for chief coach Marijne going into Thursday’s game. A win will take India to the top of the pool and brighten its knock-out chances ahead of its last fixture against USA on 29 July. In the other match of the day, Spain will take on South Africa in Pool C. Match starts: 6:30pm IST. With inputs from PTI
Highlights, India vs Ireland, Women's hockey World Cup 2018: Ireland pull off historic win to book QF berth
Catch all the latest updates from the women’s hockey World Cup clash between India and Ireland.
 "Highlights, India vs Ireland, Women's hockey World Cup 2018: Ireland pull off historic win to book QF berth")
One can safely say that India was taken out tactically in the match. They played into Ireland’s hands. Never stretched the game. Never threatened.
Ireland deservedly win 1-0.
Full-time
India 0-1 Ireland
Ireland, ranked 16th in the world are going to the quarter-finals. They have beaten India 1-0.
India can only blame themselves. They never controlled and somehow just didn’t come for the match.
Just around a minute left.
Ireland standing on the edge of entering the knock out.
Rani had the opportunity. But the shot was saved brilliantly.
Lalremsiami also has a swipe but misses the ball. Ireland leading 1-0 with 2 mins to go.
And India blows PC No 7 away too. India has taken off the goalkeeper.
Under 5 mins left.
Rani Rampal needs to quicken the pace. No Indian player running full tilt at the Irish.
They are not moving the ball quickly.
Ten minutes left. India need to do something extra ordinary here.
The Irish are tiring and India need to take advantage.
Ireland pulling players back. India unable to get past the defence.
Monika tries dribbling past a few. But the Irish are too compact at the back.
End of Q3. Ireland lead 1-0.
India had a few PC’s. But unable to score. India still not stretching the play.
15 mins to salvage something from this match. At least a point with a draw.
And the 6th goes up in smoke. Deepika takes a hit. No flick this time.
India still had a chance but Navneet Kaur can’t control.
India need to pull the game into the middle pitch. All of them getting crowded in the same zone.
Ireland tactically using the long hits, middle zone and stretching the game two both the ends. India have to rethink.
India get their 6th PC. But Ireland refer.
And they have won the referral. No 6th PC for India.
Ireland lead 1-0.
Errors creeping into the Indian play. Giving away turnovers.
But off a counter, India get their 4th PC. But they fail to equalise
What a run by Flanagan! But the Indian defence holds.
Minutes ticking away. India need the possession.
India pushing players upfront. An aggressive intent from them.
Kathyrn Mullan gets a green card. Two chances for India.
Ireland have defended very well. They knew India would come at them with skills inside the circle. And to play high up has also kept the Indians away.
India need to keep calm and start building. At the moment, the Irish are not getting frustrated.
India have enjoyed possession. They had 13 circle entries to Ireland’s 7 but it’s the Irish who control the pace.
India need to get back into the game. Rani Rampal instead of creating inside the circle needs to feed the ball on the flanks.
And that’s the end of the 2nd Q. Ireland lead 1-0.
Both teams have 3 PC’s. But the Irish are the ones looking dangerous.
India is working hard. But need to control things.
And the Udita deflection is wide. Ireland have survived this period.
They lead 1-0.
3rd PC for India. Hannah Matthews saves on the line. It’s still 1-0 to Ireland.
Lilima Minz has the space but the shot is weak and the GK saves.
India look desperate but not playing intelligently.
Ireland keeping the ball away from India. Using the counter. India looking a bit tired.
Rani trying to dribble past three. Ireland lead 1-0. And look the better team.
India is losing momentum here. Neither are they opening up the flanks.
And that was a good ball from Gurjit, but Neha loses the trap.
Ireland opening up huge amounts of space. India slightly rattled in the 2nd Q.
Most of them bunched together. Not able to stretch the field and go in with crosses.
Savita brings off a save. India looking a little ragged and somewhat lacklustre.
They need to keep possession and build up some momentum.
Good strike by Vandana Katariya but the shot is high. India attacking all the while.
And that’s a green card for Sunita Lakra.
India better be careful of the counters now.
2nd Q begins.
India need to do a lot. Cut down errors and pick up the pace in the middle.
And that’s the end of the 1st Q. Ireland lead 1-0.
The goal has been credited to Anna O’ Flanagan. She came in right in the middle of the circle and deflected beautifully.
India have a lot of work to do.
Meanwhile, India have their 2nd PC. But it’s deflected off by a Irish stick.
With a minute left, India trying to get an equaliser.
GOAL!
It’s been awarded to Ireland.
Ireland lead 1-0
GOAL!
Ireland have scored. But the umpire wants to have another look.
Four minutes left in the 1st Q.
And Ireland have their 1st PC.
Ireland rotating well. Patiently building up.
India still pulling to one side. They need to get the midfield moving now.
India pushing hard from both the flanks. Udita trying to get past the Irish defence.
Hard hits flying into the Irish circle. But the Indian forwards need to be sharp
Brilliant run by Ireland and they defend the PC away.
Game slowly moving into the midfield.
Ireland using the right flank.
India a bit scattered in the middle zone.
Nicola Evans with a good ball in the circle.
But on the counter, India has a PC, their 1st.
India is in the Irish circle. Early aggression.
India playing up. Trying to catch the Irish early with a goal.
And there we go.
India Vs Ireland is on.
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