Highlights, India vs Ireland, Women's hockey World Cup 2018: Ireland pull off historic win to book QF berth

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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.

Wasn’t a great trap.But Gurjit’s flick saved by the GK. And then after play, India get their 5th PC.

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.

India pressing hard but not smartly. Two minutes left in the 2nd Q.

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.

That’s the 2nd PC for Ireland, immediately followed by PC 3 but without any success

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.

And the teams are coming out at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre.

India Vs Ireland coming up in a few minutes.

And we start with the Indian National Anthem.

With some really talented players on either side, it would still be a match-up between skills and the Irish physicality.

The tall Irish will have their work cut out while the Indian girls would try and use that pacy forward line to get some early goals.

Yet it should be a cagey start. 

Ireland sitting comfortably on three points.

India, desperate, to reach the knock-out looking for an outright win.

Starting XI for India

Here’s how the Indian Women’s Team will line-up for their second game of the Vitality Hockey Women’s World Cup London 2018 against Ireland. Catch the action LIVE at 6:30 PM (IST) today on @StarSportsIndia 2/2HD, @hotstartweets and @ddsportschannel.#IndiaKaGame #HWC2018 #INDvIRE pic.twitter.com/aoQoZ5w6Oa

— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) July 26, 2018

With temperatures hovering around 34 degrees, it should suit the Indians.

Indian captain Rani said while entering the stadium that ‘we love playing in this weather.’

Hopefully, the entire team enjoys the match and gets those important points.

Ireland even though ranked 16th in the world are playing at a high level as was seen in their win against USA.

India did well against hosts England leading by a goal till the 4th Q before England equalised.

Even though India is ranked 10th, it’s still on paper quite an evenly matched set of teams

We are back at the Hockey World Cup and it’s a crucial game for the Indian Women.

It’s India Vs Ireland.

India has one point after that draw with England

Ireland is on three points after upsetting the higher ranked USA.

Hello and welcome to Firstpost’s coverage of the women’s hockey World Cup. In the 2nd match of the day, India take on Ireland.