Ireland 1 - 2 New Zealand (f/t) Samsung World Cup Qualifier

6 May 2006

Ireland finished 8th in the Samsung World Cup Qualifier in Rome today, concluding their tournament with a 2-1 defeat to world no.6 New Zealand.

After the game Irish coach Reit Kuper said: "We came back well from our heavy defeat against China, we were much more attacking; we changed our tactics from the previous game. It was a good performance, one of our better games. Overall I'm disappointed though; I had hoped to be in the 5th/6th place play off."

Tonight's match was Kilkenny defender Fiona Connery's fiftieth in an Irish jersey. The Irish women attacked from the start with Suzanne Beaney posing a significant threat down the left wing and with Nikki Symmons deployed in a much more attacking role.

Linda Caulfield and Bridget McKeever held midfield and did not allow New Zealand play their normal attacking game.

The first penalty corner of the game came to New Zealand in the 38th minute but the subsequent shot was cleared by Jill Orbinson. The Kiwis opend the scoring in the 43rd minute with a reverse stick shot from Stacey Carr.

The Irish reply came within two minutes with a penetrating run into the circle from Linda Caulfield and a cut back pass to Eimear Cregan who drove home the equaliser.

New Zealand had a penalty corner in the 54th minute and Clarissa Eshuis scored with a powerful shot which came off the body of goalkeeper Angela Platt.

Ireland pressured towards the end and forced their only penalty corner with two minutes remaining but Jill Orbinson's shot which found the back of the net was disallowed for being too high.