After defeating India in the quarter-finals, Ireland, on Saturday, won their second straight shootout in London to enter their first-ever Women’s Hockey World Cup final. The Irish women, ranked 16th in the world, beat No 11 Spain 3-2 in sudden death after a 1-1 draw in regulation time.
The Green Machine will next take on seven-time champion Netherlands for the title on Sunday at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre. Netherlands, who are the defending champions, also won via shootouts (3-1) against Australia after the scores were level at 1-1 in regulation time.
For the second straight match, Ireland’s goalkeeper Ayeisha McFerran was their hero. She made three vital saves, before Gillian Pinder scored the final effort for a 3-2 win.
The tie finished 1-1 in normal time after Anna O’Flanagan’s early goal was cancelled out by Spain’s Alicia Magaz.
This is also Ireland’s first World Cup appearance in 16 years. “What a feeling. I didn’t think this would happen,” said an elated Irish coach Graham Shaw after the match. “What a group of people, it just shows what can happen when the right people come together. The sport has been phenomenal, people have made the journey here to support us, that’s amazing.”
“In every single game we have battled tooth and nail,” said Ireland’s Elena Tice. “We are a young team and we have had to learn quickly. Our forwards set the tone with their energy and our midfield team are so hard working. We are the underdog in every game and in every game it is like we have won the World Cup.”
For the Dutch, their goalkeeper Josine Koning saved the day, blocking three of Australia’s four chances in the shootout. Frederique Matla, Xan de Waard and Lidewij Welten were on target for the defending champions in the shootout.