Argentina makes Qualifier final for 2010 World Cup

The last day of pool play at the BDO Hockey World Cup Qualifier in Quilmes saw the Czech Republic defeat Chile, the USA forcing Belgium to a draw, and Argentina securing their place in the final with an easy win over Ireland.

Czech Republic 2 v 1 Chile HT 2-0 | 2009-11-21 11:05
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Belgium 3 v 3 USA HT 1-0 | 2009-11-21 13:05
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Ireland 0 v 4 Argentina HT 0-3 | 2009-11-21 15:05
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Irelands chances of reaching the World Cup in New Delhi in March 2010 were dashed this afternoon after they were defeated 4-0 by Argentina in Quilmes, Buenos Aires. However the score-line does not reflect a game in which they played hard and never gave up. Ireland opened well in the first 10 minutes, retaining possession, good two touch hockey and controlled movement but once again by line defence let them down in the 12th minute when the Argentines slipped past 2 defenders for a tap in from close range. Argentina took a 2-0 lead in the 18th minute with a well taken penalty corner just inside the right post and went 3-0 ahead in the 23rd minute from a deflected penalty corner. Half-Time: Ireland 0  Argentina 3 Ireland regained composure in the second half and were unlucky not to reduce the deficit in the early stages. Argentina were a awarded a penalty stroke in the 49th minute when a forward was alleged to have been fouled on a goal scoring opportunity. The stroke was calmly taken to make it 4-0 Ireland played the remainder of the match all out with every player giving 100% effort but it was to no avail. Ireland finish on equal points with Czech Republic but with a +8 goal difference and will play them tomorrow for third place. The match will start at 1505 hrs (Irish time) tomorrow.

Todays final games are as follows.

Chile v USA 2009-11-22 09:35
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Ireland v Czech Republic 2009-11-22 09:35
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Argentina v Belgium 2009-11-22 14:35
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Day 4 2010 World Cup Qualifier - Chile Win & 2 Draws

USA 1 v 2 Chile HT 0-1 | 2009-11-19 14:35
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Czech Republic 2 v 2 Ireland HT 0-2 | 2009-11-19 16:45
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Argentina 2 v 2 Belgium HT 0-0 | 2009-11-19 19:05
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Seven minutes into the first half Czech won the first penalty corner of the match and almost opening the scoring but were denied with a great save by Harte. Ireland earned a penalty stroke soon after with John Jermyn putting it away to claim the lead for the boys in green. Ten minutes later, Ireland earned a penalty corner to increase their lead to two goals, the scorer once again John Jermyn. The Irish had another great opportunity seconds before the end of the first half, when they were awarded another penalty stroke, but this time, Czech goalkeeper Filip Neusser pulled off an excellent save. The second half started much the same way as the first, and after ten minutes, Ireland earned their first penalty corner of the half but to no avail. The Czechs started recovering and were rewarded in the 55th minute, when Martin Babicky scored the first goal for the Czech side. Ireland created a series of further opportunities, but failed to convert and minutes from the end, they paid the price when the Czech entered the Irish circle and Martin Babicky slapped the ball over goalkeeper Harte achieving the elusive draw for the Czech team. The final whistle went soon after and heartbreak for the Irish in a game they totally dominated.. With Belgium and Argentina playing out a 2-2 draw Ireland must now defeat Argentina by 3 clear goals in Saturdays encounter to reach Sundays final and with it a opportunity to play for the one World Cup spot on offer.

2010 World Cup Qualifier - Czech Republic, Belgium & Argentina Win

USA 1 v 3 Czech Republic HT 0-1 | 2009-11-17 14:35
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Ireland 0 v 3 Belgium HT 0-2 | 2009-11-17 16:45
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Chile 3 v 7 Argentina HT 0-3 | 2009-11-17 19:05
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Ireland took on Belgium today in Quilmes in what turned out to be a high tempo but frustrating game for the men in green. Belgium had the better of the opening forays and took an early lead in the 5th minute when they were gifted a chance from a defensive error which left Jerome Truyens a free shot against goalkeeper David Harte which he dispatched comfortably. Belgium extended their lead in the 10th minute when Jerome Dekeyser deflected a long pass over David Hartes shoulder. Ireland clawed their way back into the game and indeed had their chances to redress the two goal deficit but they lacked clinical execution and efficiency in front of goal and the score line remained the same until half time. Irelands woes continued immediately from the restart when Benjamin van Hove fired in a rebound shot off David Hartes pads to make it 3-0 in the 36th minute. Thereafter Ireland were always playing catch up and despite valiant efforts from Magee , Watt and Jackson they were unable to find the net with Belgium running out deserved winners. This was always going to be a tough match for Ireland and they will reflect on the simple errors and missed opportunities, particularly their missed short corner count which made this encounter far harder than it should have been. Commenting on the match, Manager Peter Jackson said Whilst we are disappointed with the result today, this tournament is only half way through. We have two more matches before finals day on Sunday and we have everything to play for against Czech Republic and Argentina. That is our focus

Ireland, Belgium & Argentina stay unbeaten at the last 2010 World Cup Qualifier

Chile 1 v 4 Ireland HT 1-0 | 2009-11-15 11:05
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Belgium 9 v 0 Czech Republic HT 3-0 | 2009-11-15 13:05
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USA 1 v 6 Argentina HT 0-4 | 2009-11-15 15:05
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On the second day or play at the BDO Hockey World Cup Qualifier in Argentina, Ireland wrestled down Chile, Belgium dispatched the Czech Republic, and Argentina booked a win against the USA. All day one winners thus booked their second consecutive victory, thereby neatly splitting the table in two.

The day started off with the encounter between Chile and Ireland. As yesterday, Chile went into the game overflowing with their can-do attitude, and they were rewarded midway through the first half with a goal from Thomas Kannegiesser. Subsequently, an open battle with few chances on either side ensued.

Holding on to their lead unil the end of the first half, Chile received the first blow to their plans for points when Alan Sothern scored a field goal shortly after the return from the break. Building on his euqalizer, the Red Devils pulled ahead with ten minutes to go at the hands of John Jermyn, while Alan Sothern added two goals in the last three minutes of the match to complete his second half hattrick and establish the 4:1 end result - a disappointing scoreline for Chile who as on day one have put down a solid effort and pulled ahead with an early goal only to see the tables turned on them for a 1:4 defeat.

Report Courtesy of World Hockey. For further deatils visit World Hockey

Ireland make great start in Argentina

Belgium 4 v 1 Chile HT 2-1 | 2009-11-14 11:05
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Ireland 6 v 1 USA HT 5-0 | 2009-11-14 13:05
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Argentina 1 v 0 Czech Republic 2009-11-14 15:05
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Ireland and the USA. With are both in the middle of rebuilding their national teams, it was not clear which way the game was going to lean, but Ireland put their stamp on the proceedings early, swiftly, and unequivocally. A trio of goals from Michael Watt and a Stephen Butler penalty corner conversion saw the boys in green up by four goals after less than twenty minutes, and when Butler added his second goal of the day in the final seconds of the first half, it seemed like a two-digit disaster was on the cards for the US team.

After the break however, the Americans returned a changed side, suddenly putting up a fight they had never managed in the first half. Ireland struggled with the change of pace, conceding the USA's consolation goal to Nate Coolidge in the 53rd minute, but having to pick the ball out of their net jolted the Irish awake again, and they immediately restored the five goal lead with a goal from Mitch Darling.

The rest of the match rolled past without much worthy of mention - the game was hard fought, but neither team was able to gain any significant advantage or create much danger. The game thus ended 6-1 for Ireland, making them the highest scoring team in the competition and the day 1 table leader.

Report Courtesy of World Hockey