England grabbed their first win of the 2018 Hockey World Cup as they battled past Ireland 4-2 in Bhubaneswar.
Four goals were scored in four third-quarter minutes as both sides looked to gain a foothold in the match following David Condon’s first quarter opener for England.
Mitch Darling and Shane O’Donoghue strikes twice drew Ireland level but goals from Liam Ansell and James Gall made sure England were victorious, with Mark Gleghorne adding a fourth late on.
It means Danny Kerry’s side qualify for the knockout stage after finishing second in Pool B and will face New Zealand on Monday, after they finished third in Pool A.
Ansell, who was called up as a late replacement when Sam Ward was injured before the tournament, said: “It’s always going to be a tight game against Ireland. Today they caused us quite a lot of problems.
“We never wanted the game to end in a draw. In these tournaments it’s about building momentum game to game, so that’s what we are trying to do.
“I thought I had been playing with some good form so it’s nice for me to be here, even though it’s unfortunate for Sam. I’m bang in form at the moment and I’m on a high.
“I don’t think any team here is an easy game, they're all tough, you have got to plan for them and produce on the day.
“We will go away, have a look at this game, see how we can improve, see what New Zealand will do and how we can stop their threats, that’s all we can do when we come out for the game.”
England had the best of the early exchanges with Ansell and Gleghorne both going close.
Midfielder Condon made the English pressure pay 20 seconds before the end of the first quarter as he smashed home through a crowd of defenders after Will Calnan’s cutback from the baseline.
England looked like they could double their lead when midfielder Ian Sloan weaved his way into the Irish box midway through the second quarter.
He was clear in the circle but blasted his shot over the bar with Irish keeper.
The match ramped up after the break with four goals in as many minutes as both sides looked to stamp their authority on the game.
Some neat Irish interplay drew them level as Darling deflected the ball into the goal following good work from Sean Murray and Chris Cargo.
Ansell beat his man of the edge of the circle before firing backhanded past the Irish keeper to restore England’s lead.
But it was only short lived as Ireland made it 2-2 with a goal from a penalty corner as O’Donoghue fired a shot from the edge of the circle, which was deflected in off an English player.
The flurry of goals was completed by Gall, as he nudged a crash ball past the keeper to put England back in front.
Ireland piled on the pressure in the final quarter with several penalty corners but they were denied by keeper and captain George Pinner.
Gleghorne added a fourth right at the end with a goal from a penalty corner with the Irish side playing without a proper keeper as they chased an equaliser.
The result means Ireland finish bottom of Pool B below China in third. Sportsbeat 2018