WATCH: Upton converts pen as Ireland beat India to make last 4

August 2, 2018 / Raffaele Rocca /

WATCH: Roisín Upton converts pen as Ireland beat India to make last 4.

Ireland 0-0 India (Ireland win 3-1 on penalties)

Ranked 16 of 16 nations at the beginning of the competition, Ireland have once again defied the odds to make the final four of the World Cup following a dramatic 3-1 shootout win over India.

The game ended scoreless but Irish keeper Ayeisha McFerran denied three of India’s four shootout attempts, allowing Chloe Watkins to convert the decisive penalty.

Limerick’s Roisin Upton did her part as she also converted past the Indian keeper to set up a semi-final meeting with Spain on Saturday (Live on RTÉ2, 2pm).

2018 Vitality Hockey Women’s World Cup Quarter-Final, Lee Valley Stadium, London, England 2/8/2018. Ireland’s Roisin Upton scores past Savita of India in the shootout
Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Joe Toth

Anna O’Flanagan had gilt edged opportunity to give Ireland the lead in the second quarter but, after being picked out by captain Kathryn Mullan, but her effort was snuffed out by Indian shot stopper Savita Punia.

India began to find their feet in the second half and saw a penalty corner saved by McFerran as the match ended in a nil all stalemate forcing the drama of a shootout.

Upton, Alison Meeke and Watkins slotted their penalties, while McFerran kept out efforts from India players Rani Rampal, Monika Malik and Navjot Kaur to send Ireland into the last four.

2018 Vitality Hockey Women’s World Cup Quarter-Final, Lee Valley Stadium, London, England 2/8/2018. Ireland Roisin Upton celebrates winning the shootout
Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Joe Toth

Ireland: N Evans, K Mullan (Captain), S McCay, G Pinder, R Upton, A McFerran, C Watkins, L Colvin, H Matthews, A O’Flanagan, Z Wilson.

Subs: G O’Flanagan, Y O’Byrne, M Frazer, E Tice, N Daly, D Duke, A Meeke.

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Raffaele Rocca