Ireland's World Cup hopes recede

MEN'S HOCKEY/Belgium 3 Ireland 0: A dreadful opening 10 minutes did for Ireland in Argentina tonight as their hopes of claiming the last remaining place in next year’s World Cup were dealt a huge blow.

Jerome Truyens opened the scoring for the Belgians in the fourth minute in Quilmes, with Jerome Dekeyser adding a second on 10 minutes.

They closed out the game after the break after Benjamin van Hove shot past David Harte, leaving Ireland needing to win their last two group games against the Czech and hosts Argentina to stand any chance of making the World Cup.