POLAND who have been among Ireland's closest rivals in hockey circles during the last two decades, emerged in Kuala Lumpur yesterday as popular qualifiers for the World Cup in Utrecht next year.
In beating South Africa 4-3, the Poles joined Spain, South Korea and New Zealand as the four who go through directly to Holland, while Malaysia and Argentina must overcome Belgium and Canada, respectively, if they are to gain the remaining two tickets.
Poland, who won the first Intercontinental Cup by defeating Ireland in the 1977 final in Rome, suffered the ignominy of finishing last in their own tournament in Poznan in 1993. But as a prelude to their appearance in KL, their uninhibited attacking play was a feature of last October's pre-qualifying competition in Cagliari.
In that tournament, the Poles surrendered, 5-2, to Ireland, who went on to record a memorable six wins in their pool. However, in the play-off for third and fourth place overall, Poland won 5-4. Since then, the Irish squad have lost their impetus, most disappointingly here in Pool B.
It remains important to try and salvage ninth spot (to keep in contention for inclusion in an Olympic qualifier), but only a first-class performance can yield hope of Toiling South Africa at dawn tomorrow. This will be only the third meeting between the two countries, with an Irish side of the 1970s twice being well beaten on tour before apartheid ruled out contact.
The re-emerging South Africans have lost four of their matches in Pool A by only the odd goal, to Canada (5-4), Malaysia (4-3), Spain (2-1) and finally - again surrendering the lead - to Poland for whom Krzysztof Wyberieralski scored the winner four minutes from the end.
Ultimately, that meant that Poland took second place in the group, at the expense of Malaysia who, before a packed attendance of 12,000, were outplayed in the second half by Spain (the Olympia silver medallists).
In Pool B, South Korea zipped into a 4-0 lead en route to a 5-2 defeat of Argentina, who must feel pretty frustrated that New Zealand, with less flair, deprived them of direct qualification.
Atlanta Olympic final umpire Ray O'Connor, who is officiating in key matches in Kuala Lumpur, will now be the only Irishman actively involved in the World up, in Utrecht. He flies home to Dublin on Sunday in time to taken" charge of the Leinster Senior Cup decider between Three Rock Rovers and Glenanne on St Patrick's Day.
Another figure jetting back to Dublin without delay is New Zealand utility defender Paul Derham who hopes to resume action with Avoca in their league fixture against Three Rock Rovers on Saturday week. Avoca particularly need Derham to beef up their resources for the European Cup Winners' Cup tournament in Reading at Easter.
