Updated at 16.16
THE IRISH SENIOR men’s hockey team earned an impressive 1-0 win over world number 10 side Pakistan at the World Hockey League in Antwerp today.
The victory, which is the first time in Ireland’s history that they have beaten Pakistan, means that a win in the 5th/6th place playoff would give the team a great chance of qualifying for the Rio 2016 Olympics once the remaining continental championships are completed.
An Alan Sothern goal amid a tight affair ultimately proved the difference between the sides, with the Green Machine showing impressive resilience to combat intensive Pakistani attacking thereafter.
Speaking after the game, Irish goalkeeper David Harte said: “We pride ourselves on our defensive base and when we got our chances we put them away today. Our Olympic dream is still alive so we’ll rest up and get ready for Sunday.”
Ireland will now meet Malaysia, who beat France 4-1 earlier, in this weekend’s potentially pivotal encounter, on Sunday at midday.
Ireland team: Harte, Jackson, Bell, Gormley, Sothern, Dowds, Magee, O’Donoghue, Darling, Good, Gleghorne.
Bench: Watt, Cargo, Caruth, Shimmins, Fitzgerald.
