It was a busy day in Santiago, Chile with Poland booking their men’s semi-final berth while Ireland in both men and women semi-finals at the FIH Hockey World Cup Qualifier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the men\u2019s Pool A, France had a 5-0 shutout over Wales, while Chile picked up a second draw after facing Scotland. Scotland now sits top of the table with a win and a draw, while Wales is bottom with a loss and a draw. The two matches tomorrow will decide who will move on to the semifinals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was a decisive day for men\u2019s Pool B, where Poland and Ireland secured their place in the semifinals with wins, bumping out Canada and Korea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the women\u2019s side, Pool B saw Ireland lock down a semifinal spot with a tight 2-1 win over Japan. Canada\u2019s World Cup hopes were dashed with a 6-1 loss to Malaysia, who will battle Japan on Thursday in a crucial match.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
(Men\u2019s) Canada 1 \u2013 2 Poland<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In a thrilling match, Poland outlasted Canada, 2-1, to cement its spot in the semifinals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Playing with more to lose after its defeat to Ireland the day before, Canada looked to be on the front foot to start off the match, but it was scoreless at halftime. The first goal did not come until the final seconds of the third quarter, when Maksymillian Koperski sent an aerial up to the stick of Graejan Jarzy\u0144ski, who turned and fired to give Poland a 1-0 advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With four minutes remaining, Poland scored the decisive second goal via penalty corner drag flick from Tomasz Bembenek. With this strike, Canada\u2019s goal in the final seconds from Jude Nicholson was in vain, as Poland made it out with a 2-1 win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gracjan Jarzy\u0144ski, who scored Poland\u2019s first goal, earned his second player of the match honor. \u201cToday\u2019s game was an important game,\u201d said Jarzy\u0144ski. \u201cWe won this game and now we play in the semifinals.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n (Men\u2019s) Korea 1 \u2013 6 Ireland<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In a must-win game for Korea, it was Ireland who came out on top and secured its spot in the semifinals with a decisive 6-1 victory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n An even first quarter nearly ended in stalemate but that was broken by goals in the final minute from each side. On an offensive chance for Ireland, the ball was lodged in the goalkeeper\u2019s pads, and Gregory Williams converted on the ensuing penalty corner. With 30 seconds left, a tentative yet crucial video referral request from<\/p>\n\n\n\n Korea paid off, as the penalty corner call was made and Jonghyun Jang nailed the opportunity. The two sides were back to even to enter the second frame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As time ticked away the temperature of the match rose slowly. In the 27th minute, the Green Machine regained their lead with a penalty stroke converted by Lee Cole. Hitting Korea with a double punch, Ireland streaked up the field and a tip-in by Matthew Nelson made Ireland\u2019s lead slightly more comfortable at 3-1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Korea nearly kept their opponent off the board for the third quarter, but Louis Rowe slammed one home in the 42nd minute. The little hope Korea had for not getting eliminated from World Cup contention was wiped away as Ireland opened the final stanza with a fifth goal from Louis Rowe. Cole got a second of his own off another set piece to put Ireland up 6-1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ireland\u2019s Sean Murray was named player of the match. \u201cAmazing team performance,\u201d said Murray. \u201cI think we really stepped it up after the Canada game with a good result\u2026so that secures our semifinal, and we have a big game tomorrow against Poland.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n (Men\u2019s) Wales 0 \u2013 5 France<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n France started the match at the bottom of the pool after its loss to Scotland but climbed to the second spot with a 5-0 win over Wales. Wales now sits fourth after the loss, but just by a single point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n France struck first in the 20th minute when Benjamin Marqu\u00e9 was fouled in the circle, paving the way for Victor Charlet to sink a penalty stroke. It was a stressful next 18 minutes for both sides, but a flood of relief for France soon followed as Benjamin Marqu\u00e9 hit an absolute cracker of a reverse shot to double the lead. Not long after, Victor Charlet tallied his second with a set piece conversion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The final frame was an emphatic end for France, as Victor Charlet and Benjamin Marqu\u00e9 each notched another goal apiece for France to take a 5-0 victory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n France\u2019s Victor Charlet, who scored a hat trick, was named player of the match. \u201cIt was a tough game against a good team, Wales,\u201d said Charlet. \u201cWe are super happy with the result, and it\u2019s a big win for the rest of the competition.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n (Men\u2019s) Scotland 2 \u2013 2 Chile<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n An intense game between Chile and Scotland ended in a 2-2 draw, with all four goals coming in the second half. Scotland will be looking for at least a draw against Wales tomorrow, while Chile will seek a win against France.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After a contentious yet scoreless first half, a breakthrough came early in the third quarter. Chile\u2019s Sebasti\u00e1n Wolansky dribbled through several defenders and scored on a hard shot to put Los Diablos up 1-0. Scotland responded, evening the score with a powerful penalty corner flick from Jamie Golden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n More drama ensued in the fourth, as Chile enjoyed their second short-lived lead with a penalty corner finish from Juan Amoroso. Scotland immediately followed it up with its own set piece goal, a pass right to Struan Walker that bobbled over the line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sebasti\u00e1n Wolansky of Chile was named player of the match. \u201cI think we were on point,\u201d said Wolansky. \u201cIt was a very good pace for us and our game. We are not feeling great about the results because we wanted to win, but we are still [in contention] to go to the World Cup.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt was a tough game,\u201d commented Robert Field, Scotland captain. \u201cI thought they played really really well. We\u2019ll be going away a bit disappointed because particularly in the end we had lots of chances to snatch a win.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n (Women\u2019s) Canada 1 \u2013 6 Malaysia<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Both entering the match-up with one loss, Canada and Malaysia were desperate for a win. A commanding performance from Malaysia gave them the victory they needed, while Canada was eliminated from FIH World Cup contention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Malaysia struck first, as Khairunnisa Mohd converted a penalty corner in the ninth minute. Canada answered not long after, leveling the score as Chloe Walton finished off of a pass from Laine Delmotte.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The next tally would come in the second quarter from Malaysia \u2014 a superb one-touch goal from Nur Azhar \u2014 to take the lead. To cap off the frame, Malaysia had a chance to capitalize on a Canada error, and Nur Azhar did not disappoint. Azhar buried the ball into the back of the cage to put Malaysia up, 3-1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Things just got grimmer for Canada as the game went on, seeing Malaysia\u2019s persistent attack continue with goals from Zati Muhamad and Nuramirah Zulkifli in the third frame. Fatin Sukri put away Malaysia\u2019s sixth goal in the fourth quarter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Malaysia\u2019s Nur Azhar was named player of the match. \u201cToday we played well, I\u2019m proud of myself and also my team,\u201d said Azhar. \u201cWe gave our best to win this game, tomorrow we rest and study for the next game.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n (Women\u2019s) Ireland 2 \u2013 1 Japan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n A clash between the top two teams in Pool B did not disappoint as No. 13 Ireland defeated No. 12 Japan, 2-1. Ireland locked down a spot in the semifinals with the win, while Japan will look to take down Malaysia on Thursday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ireland wasted no time going on the attack, earning a penalty corner in the first 20 seconds. The first frame closed with Japan finding its first set piece chance, but neither team could tally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Penalty corners would prove to be key for Ireland, as it converted two in the second quarter \u2014 out of five overall \u2014 to take a 2-0 lead. Niamh Carey laid out for a tip on the first, while Caoimhe Perdue converted another right before the halftime whistle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Japan\u2019s perseverance in the fourth led to another set piece opportunity, where Mai Toriyama tipped in a shot to make it 2-1 with five minutes remaining. Ireland was able to hold on to its slim lead for the win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Niamh Carey picked up player of the match. \u201cWe\u2019re very happy with it,\u201d said Carey. \u201cJapan are a tricky team, and we know they always are dangerous on the counterattack, so to win 2-1 we are very happy that we\u2019ll take the points and move on.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Results:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n (Men\u2019s) Canada 1 \u2013 2 Poland<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Player of the match: Gracjan Jarzy\u0144ski<\/p>\n\n\n\n (Men\u2019s) Korea 1 \u2013 6 Ireland<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Player of the match: Sean Murray (IRL)<\/p>\n\n\n\n (Women\u2019s) Canada 1 \u2013 6 Malaysia<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Player of the match: Nur Azhar (MAS)<\/p>\n\n\n\n (Women\u2019s) Ireland 2 \u2013 1 Japan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Player of the match: Niamh Carey (IRL) <\/p>\n\n\n\n (Men\u2019s) Wales 0 \u2013 5 France<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Player of the match: Victor Charlet (FRA) <\/p>\n\n\n\n (Men\u2019s) Scotland 2 \u2013 2 Chile<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" It was a busy day in Santiago, Chile with Poland booking their men’s semi-final berth while Ireland in<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":10111,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[60],"class_list":["post-10110","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-newsbeat","tag-hockey"],"aioseo_notices":[],"featured_image_urls":{"full":["https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Ireland-hockey.jpg",1024,576,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Ireland-hockey-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Ireland-hockey-300x169.jpg",300,169,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Ireland-hockey-768x432.jpg",640,360,true],"large":["https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Ireland-hockey.jpg",640,360,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Ireland-hockey.jpg",1024,576,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Ireland-hockey.jpg",1024,576,false],"morenews-large":["https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Ireland-hockey-825x575.jpg",825,575,true],"morenews-medium":["https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Ireland-hockey-590x410.jpg",590,410,true]},"author_info":{"info":["admin"]},"category_info":"Newsbeat<\/a>","tag_info":"Newsbeat","comment_count":"0","jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Ireland-hockey.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10110","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10110"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10110\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10112,"href":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10110\/revisions\/10112"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10111"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10110"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10110"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10110"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}