Ireland’s men will travel to Argentina for their World Cup qualifier, the FIH has confirmed this morning, for the tournament to be played from November 14-22.
They are the third ranked side in the six team group with Belgium, USA, the Czech Republic, Chile as well as the hosts.
The Belgians represent the friendliest of three top-ranked sides available – the others being Pakistan and New Zealand – especially in light of their inconsistent at the Europeans.
They produced an exhilarating performance against Germany only to lose 3-2 before struggling badly against Austria and England, the latter an 8-2 defeat in what was supposed to be the group’s defining game.
Ireland’s close relationship with the Belgians has seen numerous ‘Ryanair’ internationals in recent years while five senior Irish internationals will play in the Belgian top tier in the upcoming season to add to the intrigue.
Argentina is the second ranked side and another which Ireland knows well. In the most significant recent meeting, the Irish nicked a 1-0 win with Ronan Gormley scoring the vital goal in February 2008’s Olympic qualifier.
Ultimately, Ireland needed a second goal to oust the Argentines from a final place in that competition. On home territory in Quilmes, though, they are likely to be a much tougher proposition.
Ireland got the better of the USA 8-0 in that same tournament while a Champion’s Challenge win over Chile suggests those games are eminently winnable.
The Czech Republic showed enough in the Euros in Wrexham to suggest they will be a challenge but Gino Schilders’ side has never so much as drawn with the Irish in four attempts.
As such, it was always likely to be a tough draw as a third seed but Paul Revington will no doubt relish the challenge.
Furthermore, the dates suit Ireland’s EHL chances with the maximum distance between Round 1a and this, the third of three WCQ competitions.
Full WCQ draws:
FIH Men’s World Cup Qualifier Lille, France, 31 October-8 November 2009:Pakistan, Japan, France, Poland, Russia, Italy (as reserve country)
BDO FIH Men’s World Cup Qualifier, Invercargill, New Zealand, 7-15 November 2009: New Zealand, China, Malaysia, Austria, Scotland, Wales
BDO FIH Men’s World Cup Qualifier, Quilmes, Argentina, 14-22 November 2009:Belgium, Argentina, Ireland, USA, Czech Republic, Chile
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9 comments:
when are the dates and venues for the women WCQ going to be announced?
The final WCQ groups will be known after the 7th Women's Asian Cup is played. This finishes on November 8.
Is it only one team from each group that qualifies or is it two?
If its 2 then I think the Irish have a decent enough chance of qualifying.
If its 1 team that goes through then its a tough task but possible. It will just mean that every player will have to be on form and the top plyers in the team are going to have to put in career performances.
With the momentum they have now its achievable for sure.
Just the one side qualifies from each of the WCQ events on both the mens and womens side - ie three places are left on the men's side for the 2010 World Cup, one from each of the tournaments mentioned above.
who are the 5 players playing in the belgian league this year? mitch, phelie and.....
Geoff McCabe, Mikey Watt and Eugene Magee - apologies I thought I had mentioned this previously on the site.
The trio will play with Dragons in Antwerp.
I know it has been asked before Stephen but when are the rest of the fixtures being announced?
Bit of a joke that we are less than 2 weeks away from the start of the season and we only know the 1st 3 weeks fixtures
fixtures up to xmas are out!!
Where?
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