The Ireland Women’s hockey team, which includes Limerick’s Roisin Upton, are only one win from clinching qualification
Following the end of the group stage matches in the Hockey World League, Ireland just need to win one more game to get through to the next round which will also mean automatic qualification for the World Cup.
Limerick native Roisin Upton is part of the squad that will face Argentina today in a crucial tie which could mean World Cup qualification.
Upton, who’s one of Ireland’s key players in midfield, and her team only lost one game in their group, which was a 3-2 loss to England but they still managed to make it to the quarter final stages.
Head coach Graham Shaw believes the team shouldn’t fear anyone ahead of their tough match against a strong Argentine side, who are currently third in the World Rankings.
In their group matches, along with that narrow loss to England, Ireland have drawn with Japan and Germany and beaten Poland.
In Argentina’s group, they have not dropped any points winning all of their games which would suggest a tough last eight match up for the Irish.
The Argentinians are now one of the favourites for the tournament outright following their four group wins vs India, U.S.A, South Africa and Chile.
If they are successful against Argentina and make it to the semi final stage, they are guaranteed a spot at next year’s World Cup.