Hockey/KT Cup: After watching her team concede six goals to Korea in their opening game of the KT Cup in Seoul, Riet Kuper would have hoped for more resolute defending in Ireland's second match of the tournament against China. And that's precisely what she got, the fourth-ranked team in the world failing to breach the Irish defence once in 70 minutes of play, the game finishing 0-0.
This was no China B team either, their KT Cup squad included 13 of the players who featured at the Olympic Games last summer. The Chinese arrived in Seoul over a week before the tournament began, in contrast to Ireland who left for Korea on Monday.
That, then, was the measure of the Irish achievement, one they managed despite sustaining a couple of injuries along the way. If Caitriona Carey, back in the squad after a five-year absence, had forgotten just how competitive international hockey can be, an elbow to the face early in the second half might have brought it all back.
The Hermes player returned after treatment but Bridget McKeever's game was over soon after when she was struck on the arm by a stick - an X-ray in the local hospital, however, revealed it was not broken.
McKeever's departure gave Jill Hodgins the opportunity to win her first cap, coming in at right back, and she played her part in a disciplined defensive display that frustrated the Chinese throughout - that Ireland didn't concede a short corner, despite intensive Chinese pressure, until the 29th minute was a fair indication of that discipline.
Linda Caulfield cleared the resulting strike, one of only three serious threats on the Irish goal in the game, the other two efforts were saved by Angela Platt.
Indeed, the closest either side came to scoring was three minutes from time when Eimear Cregan, from a short corner, almost added to the hat-trick she scored against Korea, only to be denied by a fine save from the Chinese goalkeeper.
"We are obviously trying out a few things and we played a very tactical game with a very good result, not giving away many goal scoring opportunities," said coach Riet Kuper. "We had good chances from turnovers but didn't exploit these," she added, while expressing satisfaction with the quality of the team's passing and all-round play.
Today is a rest day at the tournament, with Ireland back in action tomorrow when they play England, who drew 1-1 with India yesterday.
IRELAND: A Platt, L Caulfield, C O'Brien, B McKeever, C Parkhill, C Carey, J Orbinson, J Burke, J McDonough, L O'Neill, L McVicker. Subs: E Cregan, N Symmons, D Casey, J Hodgins.
KT CUP (at Seoul, Korea): Yesterday: Ireland 0, China 0; Korea 7, Malaysia 0; India 1, England 1. Tomorrow (local times): Ireland v England, 10.30. Monday: Ireland v India, 11.30. Wednesday: Ireland v Malaysia, 11.0. Thursday: play-offs for final placings.
