Ireland’s women beat New Zealand to keep their Hockey World Cup dream alive

The Green Machine keeps rolling

Captain Sarah Hawkshaw broke the deadlock in the 24th minute, getting a vital deflection on an excellent Niamh Carey cross as the drizzle came down over Wavre. New Zealand’s Brittany Wang had been a persistent problem on the right wing before that, and Surridge levelled early in the second half.

Hawkshaw almost had a second with a remarkable backhand strike from a tight angle, only for a video referral to show she had struck the ball marginally outside the circle.

Belgium next, and no room for error

Ireland face tournament co-hosts Belgium on Thursday, a fixture that will likely decide whether this campaign goes any further.

It has been a decent stretch for Irish athletes abroad, from Kate O’Connor’s heptathlon gold to the squad named for the European Athletics Championships.

Win on Thursday and the Green Machine are a genuine knockout prospect. Lose and Tuesday’s win in Wavre becomes a footnote — which is precisely why this one mattered.