Ireland shock USA as they march towards 2016 Rio Olympics

Ireland 2 (M Frazer, A O’Flanagan) USA 0

Ireland stunned world number five side USA 2-0 with goals from Megan Frazer and Anna O’Flanagan to ensure they finish top of Pool B of the World League Round 3.

It sets up a quarter-final date with China on Thursday in a tie that is effectively an Olympic qualifier with the winner all but assured a ticket to Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

The Asian side are higher ranked – they are seven in the world, Ireland are 14 – but Darren Smith’s side have out-performed three higher ranked nations in the group stage already.

The US win was the pick of their results thus far, a smash and grab performance, built on a huge defensive effort as the US won eight penalty corners and drew a series of last ditch tackles from a gutsy Irish defence.

From the few attacks Ireland had, they showed real menace. Frazer served notice of her intent with one backhand shot that was brilliantly tipped around the post by Jackie Briggs before she opened the scoring. Gillian Pinder set it up with a neat turn before laying it into her captain’s path and she pinged home a low finish.

USA dominated the play thereafter as Ireland scrambled saves off the line from Cliodhna Sargent. She put her body on the line at every turn while goalkeeper Emma Gray had another storming performance.

Shirley McCay served a ten-minute suspension as the US corner count added up but Yvonne O’Byrne and Anna O’Flanagan charged them down at every turn.

It kept them clinging on for the result and, from their sole attack of the second half, with 70 seconds to go, Ireland broke through Frazer who laid on for O’Flanagan to sweep home the second goal.

Speaking aftewards, defensive lynch-pin Sargent said of her side’s efforts: “When it comes towards the end of the game, you are willing to do everything you can to keep the ball out of the goal. Putting your body on the line is the least you can do.”

Ireland: E Gray, Y O'Byrne, C Sargent, E Smyth, N Evans, S McCay, M Frazer, L Colvin, N Daly, H Matthews

Subs: K Mullan, G Pinder, A Connery, C Watkins, K Dillon, A Meeke, A McFerran

USA: J Briggs, M Gonzalez, K Kolojejchick, R Dawson, J Witmer, J Reinprecht, K Reinprecht, K O'Donnell, K Falgowski, L Crandall, A Manley

Subs: S Fee, M Vittese, M Kasold, P Selenski, K Sharkey, C van Sickle, A Widdall

World League Group B standings: 1. Ireland 9pts (+4) 2. Germany 8pts (+10) 3. USA 7pts (+3) 4. South Africa 2pts (-6) 5. Uruguay 1pt (-11)