Ireland 0

Japan 0

Ireland win 3-1 after penalty shootout

AFTER MISSING OUT in yesterday’s game against Australia, Ireland Women finally secured their spot at the 2026 Hockey World Cup with a dramatic shootout victory over Japan when neither side could find a goal at the Estadio Nacional in Santiago, Chile.

The Green Machine looked to have put the disappointments of the previous day behind them with a positive start but still failed to threaten in the Japanese circle despite good intensity and high pressing.

In what was the best chance of the opening quarter, Niamh Carey beat several defenders with a remarkable run though couldn’t get past Japanese goalkeeper Akio Tanaka. Emily Kealy had a shot not long after but put the chance wide after a sharp through ball from Hannah McLoughlin on the break.

The Cherry Blossoms proved much stronger in the second quarter with better urgency and pressing while also winning several penalty corners, however the Irish defensive effort continued to hold strong.

A nervy moment saw goalkeeper Elizabeth Murphy briefly lose sight of the ball underneath her foot but remained composed to eventually clear it with her stick. Japan however still struggled in the middle of the pitch and often opted for aerial clearance balls which allowed Ireland more possession and the opportunity to attack.

Despite chances for both sides in the final quarter, the game looked to be destined for a shoot-out due with everything on the line. A determined Katie Mullan though almost managed to score in the closing moments right in front of goal, but the chance was eventually chalked off due to a backstick.

Irish captain Sarah Hawkshaw went first in the shootout with a cool and collected goal after dribbling right and then beating Tanaka. But Shiho Kobayakawa scored in reply after getting it past Murphy with a skillful spin.

Hannah McLoughlin next put away Ireland’s second in clinical fashion with Murphy then pulling off a brilliant save to deny Miyu Hasegawa to put Japan under serious pressure.

Emily Kealy however missed Ireland’s next, though Murphy continued her incredible work in goals to deny Mai Toriyama.

Jessica McMaster then beat Tanaka when the keeper went down early. However the main moment was when Murphy expertly read Akari Nakagomi’s run and tackled her to send the ball out and Ireland to a World Cup.

Japan themselves had suffered heartbreak just the day before, having led by a goal against Chile with a World Cup spot on the line only to concede and lose the shootout 2-0.

After seeing the Ireland Men’s side secure World Cup qualification on Friday, the Ireland Women’s team who themselves were World Cup silver medalists in 2018 will now be joining them in Belgium and the Netherlands for the main event.

Player of the match Elizabeth Murphy said: “We have been on the wrong end of those results a few too many times but today losing was not an option. Everyone dug their heels in and fought until the very very end. I couldn’t be prouder of the whole team.”

IRELAND: E Murphy (GK); S McAuley, M Carey, N Carey, S Hawkshaw (capt), K Mullan, H McLoughlin, S Torrans, E Curran, C Perdue, C Hamill. Rolling subs: R Upton, C Beggs, H Micklem, J McMaster, K Larmour, M Jennings, L Mulcahy.

JAPAN: A Tanaka; M Suzuki (capt), H Saito, M Horikawa, S Kabayakawa, M Toriyama, A Shimada (capt), A Nakagomi, S Tanaka, M Hasegawa, M Mikami. Rolling subs: I Matsu, N Tateiwa, E Nishikori, H Murayama, Y Kudo, M Matsunami, A Hiramitsu.