Ireland get off the mark

With Great relief Ireland finally got off the mark at the European Nations' Cup Finals in Cologne yesterday, beating the Czech Republic 4-0 in their fourth pool match. Just as significantly, for their hopes of qualifying for the fifth-eighth place play-offs, England produced a quite extraordinary 10-1 win over the Ukraine, who now drop below Ireland, on goal difference, into fifth place in the pool.

By the time Ireland take to the field today, for their final pool game against Spain, they will know precisely what result they need if they are to avoid finishing outside the top eight for the first time in the tournament's history. The Ukraine, who play the Czechs earlier in the day, are likely to win with ease, reducing Ireland's current goal difference advantage, which stands at eight, and moving three points clear.

That advantage should have been greater still but Ireland managed only one goal in the second half against a poor Czech side, having led 3-0 at half-time. Mary Logue opened the scoring after 11 minutes, firing home from a rebound after the Czech goalkeeper, Martina Horova, had saved Sarah Kelleher's short corner strike, and Lynsey McVicker added two more in two minutes (26th and 28th), the first from a corner, the second following a superb Logue run.

A packed Czech defence, intent on damage limitation, made goals harder to come by in the second half and it wasn't until the 49th minute that Ireland scored their fourth and final goal, when an Arlene Thompson shot from a short corner was deflected high in to the roof of the net.

Thompson, McVicker, Kelleher, Logue and Jenny Burke were all denied by Horova later in the half but Claire McMahon went closest to stretching the lead when she hit a post with 90 seconds to go.

"It is not often that I am unhappy with a 4-0 win but we should have scored more goals today," said coach Riet Kuper after the game. "The team played very well, their passing and movement was very good, but the Czechs made it very difficult for us in the second half."

"They were not interested in playing good hockey," added Sarah Kelleher, "but the Spanish game will be different - I'm looking forward to it and I'm confident we can win it." Nothing less than a win will do - unless the Czechs can break their scoring and points duck in the tournament against the Ukraine.

Ireland: T Browne, L Caulfield, A Thompson, D Sixsmith, C O'Kelly, M Logue (capt), S Kelleher, R Kohler, C McMahon, J Burke, K Mills. Subs: L McVicker, C Carey, K Humphreys, K O'Brien.

Czech Republic: M Horova, P Kozakova, R Vanova, K Kazdova, M Samcova, A Strakova, J Tumova, K Cervena, J Mrzenova (capt), K Poloprutska, J Springerova. Subs: L Geschvandtnerova, L Brtvova, E Stankova, K Kemrova.

Umpires: L Fotheringham and I Kluyskens.