Updated at 13.29
A 1-0 VICTORY over Argentina today saw Ireland guarantee their place at the 2016 Rio Paralympics.
The Irish team are competing at the Football 7-a-side World Championships at St George’s Park in England, and despite Wednesday’s 4-0 quarter-final loss to Ukraine, they knew a win in this morning’s 5th/6th place playoff would guarantee their spot in Brazil next year.
Captain Luke Evans made the difference ultimately, as his free kick on 54 minutes sealed a victory for the Irish side.
Speaking after the game, Evans said: “While it wasn’t our best performance we are completely delighted with the win. We had to dig so deep and showed great character to do it. It really hurt missing out on the London 2012 Games so to guarantee our place at Rio 2016 with that win is massive, it means so much to us and has been a long time coming. We’re keen to try and push on for fifth tomorrow.”
Irish manager Barry Ferguson added: “We’re just delighted with the result. The lads didn’t actually play that well but worked so hard to dig out the result. They did exactly what they had to do to win the game. They have worked so hard over the last number of years and months to secure Paralympic Games qualification, they deserve it, we’re so proud of them.”
Argentina are one place higher than Ireland in the world rankings at sixth, and consequently would have been favourites going into the game.
The Irish side play their final match of the tournament tomorrow against the winners of the England-USA clash for fifth spot.
