Italy unravel Irish qualification hopes

Ireland coach Darren Smith admitted his side must sharpen their attack after they failed to qualify for World League 3. Top seeds heading into a five-team tournament, and needing to finish in the top two to qualify, Ireland had made life difficult for themselves with a shock 2-0 defeat to Belarus on Tuesday.

That meant they needed wins against both Spain and Italy, with their hopes rising after a dogged defensive performance and an Audrey O’Flynn penalty stroke gave them a 1-0 win against the hosts in Valencia, in what was the easier of the game on paper. But Italy — who also unravelled Ireland’s Olympic qualification bid in Canada in 2008 — were spoilers supreme once more, Elisabetta Pacella nailing a reverse 15 minutes from time to secure a 1-0 victory in a winner-takes-all clash. “While we were wasteful with our opportunities, Italy took their goal chance well,” said a dejected Smith afterwards. “In the end, Italy played well, defended well and protected their lead well, closing off our opportunities. “This tournament showed us that we were found wanting in attack and that defensive mistakes at this level usually get punished.” The upshot for Smith’s side is that the more obvious route to the 2014 World — World League 3 doubles as a qualifier — is now closed, with only a very unlikely overall victory at this summer’s European championships providing a ticket to hockey’s second biggest international competition after the Olympics.