Benjamin Walker’s double secured Ireland’s place in the semi-finals.

Walker’s two goals ensured Ireland’s place in the semi-finals of the Men’s Hockey World Cup Qualifiers with a 2-0 win over Russia.

Ireland controlled possession in the opening exchanges, it only took them three minutes to open the scoring as Benjamin Walker converted from a great pass by John McKee.

The Irish nearly scored a second moments later as Conor Empey shot just over the bar.

Ireland seemed very composed on the ball in the first quarter with Kyle Marshall impressing.

Russia nearly equalizied but were denied by Ireland keeper Jamie Carr. Both sides had opportunities from a penalty corner but were denied by strong defensive plays.

At the start of the second quarter, McKee almost got Ireland’s second after Russian keeper Ivan Ozherlev came out of his goal, Mckee narrowly sent his effort wide.

Russia improved in the second quarter and were nearly rewarded when Alexey Sobolevskiy shot from a tight angle, just missing the back post.

Ireland managed the half well and went into half time 1-0 up.

Sobolevskiy made a brilliant run at the start of the second half before passing to Nikolay Yankun whose effort was well saved by Carr.

Walker doubled Ireland’s lead in the third quarter, after a brilliant piece of skill and pass from the experienced Shane O’Donoghue set him up to score his second of the match.

The Irish were close to going three up when Ozherlev made an impressive save from Conor Harte’s attempt from a penalty corner.

The Russians fought hard towards the end of the third quarter but didn’t manage to break down the stubborn Irish defence.

Sobolevskiy came close again midway through the fourth quarter, when his thunderous strike was denied by the leg of Irish keeper Carr.

Ozherlev made an excellent double save from an Ireland penalty corner to keep the score at 2-0.

Ireland held on in the closing stages to secure a 2-0 win and a place in the semi-finals against either Wales or Italy. Russia will drop into the fifth-place semi-finals where they’ll face the loser of the Wales and Italy game.

by Tobias Hunt