Ireland keep hopes of progress alive

EUROHOCKEY NATION'S CHAMPIONSHIP: IRELAND KEPT hopes alive of a surprise semi-final place in the EuroHockey Nation's Championships with a 0-0 draw against Scotland yesterday in Amsterdam.

It went some of the way to expel the painful 7-0 thrashing meted out by reigning European champions Germany on Saturday.

The upshot is if Ireland can upset the odds and beat world number-seven side Spain tomorrow then a last-four place would be assured along with a guaranteed place in 2010 World Cup.

Indeed, Ireland had the better chances to nick all three points, especially with two short-corner shots on the final whistle which slipped through their fingers. For the second game running, Gene Muller’s side were slow out of the blocks, conceding six penalty corners in the opening half – Shirley McCay required to clear one Laura Bartlett effort off the line.

But, building on the rock-solid defence of Bridget Cleland, the Irish grew into the game and created a trio of innovative of scoring opportunities shared between Nikki Symmons and Eimear Cregan. Lauren Barr took another Bartlett effort out of harm’s way before Ireland began to dominate proceedings once they switched to a higher pressing game.

In a scrappy Celtic battle, Cregan produced the game’s one moment of real quality to bounce past three defenders but the angle for her shot was too tight to test the impeccable Abigail Walker.

And from another stolen ball deep in Scottish territory, Cregan and Jacob combined but the latter’s volley slipped just beyond the post to ensure the score-sheet remained blank.

Germany beat Spain 2-1 in the group’s other game yesterday, making it a play-off between Ireland and the Spaniards for the second semi-final place.

IRELAND: M Goode, E Cregan (capt), E Clarke, E Stewart, B Cleland, S McCay, C McKean, N Symmons, E Smyth, L Jacob, L Barr. Subs: R Flinn, A Speers, L Colvin, M Frazer, M Harvey.

SCOTLAND: A Walker, V Bunce, L Baxter, C Forrest, L Bartlett, H Cram, L Clement (capt), A Robertson, E Rochlin, E Maguire, L Fawcett. Subs: A Bell, J Bryce, N Kidd, L Wrightson, R Ward.

EuroHockey Nations Championships: Pool B (Saturday): Ireland 0 Germany 7; Spain 3 Scotland 1; (Sunday) Ireland 0 Scotland 0; Germany 2 Spain 1. Standings (points/goal difference): 1. Germany 6pts (+8); 2. Spain 3pts (+1); 3. Scotland 1pt (-2); 4. Ireland 1pt (-7).