Hockey World Cup 2018: England vs Ireland - 3 Talking Points

#2 England score at will every time they need to

Heartbreak for the Ireland team and their fans

Danny Kerry's side played the match with varying degrees of pace and intensity based on what the situation demanded while the Irish were forced to play catch up at every stage.

For the first time in the competition, England looked reasonably assured and confident on the pitch which was evident in the manner in which they began the proceedings.

Liam Ansell was at his best in the do-or-die encounter providing the much-needed impetus up front but in spite of all their domination, England found the back of the net only once in the first half knowing well that the Irish had every chance of regaining their foothold.

Yet, quite inexplicably, Ansell gave England the lead a minute after Cargo had equalized for the Irish and James Gall did so immediately after Shane O'Donoghue had scored Ireland's second off a PC.

England's ability to be able to score when it mattered the most proved to be the difference between the two sides at the end of a keenly-contested match.