Day 6 - HWC Australia 5/12/2008

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Disappointment for Ireland as they are edged out of quarter finals

Famous for sending off David Beckham in the 1998 World Cup referee Kim Milton Nielsen tells Karl Robinson who is boss

Despite winning their final two games in group A Ireland failed to qualify for the Quarter finals of the Homeless World Cup. It was heartbreak for the team, a crucial defeat against England the previous day proved very costly leaving England to qualify at Ireland’s expense. Ireland must now regroup and set their sights on improving their World ranking and taking home the Dignitary Cup. Which they have now entered along with the next best eight teams they play Poland on Saturday and it promises to be a tough uncompromising game.
Management team’s Sean Kavanagh, said while the result against England was disappointing it’s not the end of the world; we’ve still got a lot to play for.

Ireland 11 Zimbabwe 7
IRELAND overcame Zimbabwe 11-7 in this tightly contested Group 1 encounter at Fed Square. Realising they needed a win to maintain their chances of progressing to the quarter finals, Ireland played with a ferocious determination throughout the match.
These two young and fit teams showed no hesitation in roughing it during a fraught and high tempo first half, which Ireland edged 5-3.
Paul Farrell captain for the day was the star of the show, bagging a hat-trick and drawing some fine saves from Herbert in the Zimbabwean goal. After trading goals up to 2-2, Ireland began to dominate possession and build a lead put Zimbabwe on the back foot.
The second half saw no dip in the determination and intensity of the Irish effort.
Zimbabwe registered the goal of the game however, a cheeky chip over two defenders ending with a drilled finish.
Despite such moments of inspiration, Gary Cunniam in the Irish goals proved hard to beat, and denied the Africans the necessary goals to put pressure their opponents.
Two Crosbie goals effectively killed off the game for Ireland, who ran out comfortable 11-7 winners.

Ireland 12 Holland 3
Polished passing outfit Ireland proved too strong in a physical 12-3 match against the Netherlands that included two own goals.
Ireland, entering the match fourth on the Group A, Section 1 table, were hoping to move into at least third position with a win over the sixth-placed Netherlands.
The Irish stacked on four goals to the Netherlands' two in the first half, with one goal coming from a misjudged back pass that saw the Netherlands keeper tap it into his own net.
Paul Farrell and Karl Robinson each scored two goals in quick succession to put the Irish a comfortable 8-2 up. With Brian Coleman captain for the game giving no quarter and proving an inspiration to his team. As they ran out comfortable winners.

Karl Robinson responds by scoring.	Realisation of the consequences of crucial defeat against England becomes evident to management team

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