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Timely victory a boost to Ireland's hopes of avoiding relegation

EUROHOCKEY: Ireland 3 Azerbaijan 1: IRELAND GAVE their chances of beating European championship relegation a huge shot in the…

STEPHEN FINDLATER in Monchengladbach
Fri Aug 26 2011 - 01:00

EUROHOCKEY: Ireland 3 Azerbaijan 1:IRELAND GAVE their chances of beating European championship relegation a huge shot in the arm with a comprehensive victory over Azerbaijan in Monchengladbach yesterday.

It was the third time Ireland had beaten Azerbaijan this summer but by far the most important win. With Belgium beating Italy 2-0 earlier in the day, anything other than a win would have seen Gene Muller’s side drop to the B Division for the first time.

But goals from Michelle Harvey, Emma Clarke and Nikki Symmons blew away the team’s inhibitions and lift the side off the bottom rung of the relegation pool with plenty of momentum to take into Saturday’s tie with Italy.

Their position could have been yet stronger had they held out a last minute penalty corner, Yoon Seon Kim grabbing a rebound. It may yet be a pivotal goal as it pushed Azerbaijan one clear of Ireland in the goal difference rankings and means Ireland need to outdo the eastern European side’s result on the final day of competition.

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Following three harrowing defeats, it was a welcome relief for Muller’s side. They started in fighting fashion, winning three penalty corners inside the opening phases with Emma Smyth, on her 50th cap, providing a creative spark absent from the side to date.

Smyth won a fifth penalty corner of a dominant half and Harvey – with a late adjustment to the intended pattern – saw her shot loop over Saadat Nuriyeva in the 32nd minute.

Clarke got an insurance goal with 12 minutes to go, following up her own incisive pass as Lisa Jacob’s shot rebounded her way.

And it looked like Ireland were out of the relegation zone when Symmons exchanged delightful passes with Julia O’Halloran and skipper Alex Speers before shooting home.

IRELAND: E Gray, N Symmons, S McCarthy, C Sargent, A O'Flynn, E Smyth, E Clarke, S McCay, J O'Halloran, A Speers, A Connery. Subs: M Harvey, L Jacob, N Small, C Watkins, L Colvin

AZERBAIJAN: S Nuriyeva, H Shukurzade, E Muzaffarova, Y-S Kim, M Mammadova, C Shukurova, M-S Aliyeva, Z Suleymanova, H Lee, Z Mammadova, B Kim.