HOCKEY:Ireland defeated the USA 8-0 yesterday in Auckland to keep their hopes alive of a top-two place in their Olympic qualifying event. The top-two teams in the six-team group play-off for one available place for Beijing later this year, writes Johnny Watterson.

The result puts Ireland in third place on the table but level on points with second placed New Zealand, who were beaten yesterday 3-1 by table leaders Argentina.

Those eight goals were vital for Ireland as New Zealand now lead Ireland coach Dave Passmore's team on goal difference and there is just one goal in it.

Ireland have nine points, scored 20 goals and conceded five, while New Zealand have nine points, scored 20 goals but have conceded only four goals.

Today and Friday are rest days with Ireland then meeting Argentina on Saturday and New Zealand also facing a tough match against France.

For Ireland to take second place and make the final play-off they must beat the South American team and hope that the hosts New Zealand lose against the French.

Mark Gleghorne, proving to be Ireland's top marksman at the competition, hit four goals against the Americans, with Ronan Gormley, Andy Barbour, John Jermyn and Eugene Magee adding the others in an obviously one-sided victory.