WHILE the Irish squad enjoyed their first day's rest in the World Cup qualifying tournament and took a stroll along the Via Roma in Cagliari yesterday, there was another good result for Ireland - Scotland and the United States played a 1-1 draw and so picked up only a point each.

That's all they had after two matches in Pool B whereas Ireland and Poland - the two highest ranked European teams here - have a maximum six points and may be pulling away from the pack.

The Scots, who eventually lost to Ireland on Sunday, were fortunate to escape defeat against the US, who had gone under 2-1 to Poland on Monday. Scott Williams gave the Americans a deserved lead from a penalty stroke but Chris Anderson scored a late equaliser.

Today's Poland-Italy match will be of interest before Ireland resume their programme against the US tomorrow. The Americans, with seven changes from their Atlanta squad, do not appear to be a threat to the freshly prepared Irish side, whose 7-0 defeat of Bangladesh on Monday (in the first meeting between the countries) remains the most crushing score of the tournament.

Certainly, Daniel Clarke and leading marksman Robbie Taylor will be expected to hit the target again tomorrow, in contrast to the 0-0 draw with the US in Terrassa before the Americans took part in the Olympic Games.

Perhaps, too, there will be an opportunity for Galahad Goulet to register his first international goal if he comes in ahead for the injured David McAnulty on the left wing. Fellow debutant Chris Jackson has already impressed with his finishing touches.

There was much sadness among the media corps and FIH officials in Cagliari yesterday on hearing of the death in England of the gregarious and widely travelled Chris Moore, hockey correspondent of The Daily Telegraph in London, and editor of World Hockey. Moore particularly relished his trips to Dublin over the past two decades.