Ireland 2-0 Korea
Ireland Women grabbed a third win on the bounce against Korea to take maximum points as they top their pool in the FIH Hockey Nations Cup in Chile.
Ireland took the lead in the second quarter when Sarah Torrans dribbled past two of Korea's defenders and calmly found the back of the net.
Mikayala Power doubled the lead in the fourth quarter, deflecting in from a Christina Hamill delivery, grabbing her second senior international goal in just her third appearance.
Korea started the brighter of the two, creating an early goalscoring opportunity early in the first quarter that Ireland Goalkeeper Elizabeth Murphy made no mistakes in dealing with.
A yellow card for Emily Kealy not long after, meant Ireland had to see out most of the opening quarter a player down, slowing their ability to take control of the game.
They eventually regained their steer, with Ireland testing the Korean resolve early in the second quarter. Mikayla Power fired just wide of the post after finding space well, with Sarah Torrans just centimetres away from getting a crucial touch at the back post. Niamh Carey then created another opportunity, playing a ball across goal towards Katie Mullan, which again evaded the Irish attacker by a fine margin.
Ireland would eventually break the deadlock. Niamh and Michelle Carey combined well on the press to win the ball deep in Korean territory, Michelle Carey found Sarah Torrans on the edge of the circle who's winding run took her past two defenders before she calmly pushed into the bottom corner to open scoring.
Ireland continued to control the game in the second half, dominating most of the possession. An early chance for Mullan was deflected over and was followed up with a penalty corner that was well saved.
Ireland eventually doubled their lead in the final quarter, with Mikayla Power getting on the end of a perfect delivery to the back post from Christina Hamill to deflect into the net, grabbing her second goal of the tournament, and sealing Ireland’s third win of the Pool stage.
Ireland will face the losers of the USA or Chile game on March 1 in the semi-final stage of the competition.
