Mexico 0 Ireland 5:The Irish women's hockey team are second after the day's play in the Athlon Car Lease FIH Road to London Tournament, thanks to a 5-0 win over Mexico in Kontich, Belgium, that leaves them just one win away from a final appearance.
Their five-goal haul, against a side that had already shipped seven to top-seeds Spain and 12 to the hosts, came in the second half through braces for Audrey O’Flynn and Emma Smyth, before Cliodhna Sargent rounded off the scoring.
It was good enough to send them top for a matter of hours before Belgium beat Spain 1-0 later in the day. Jill Boon’s second minute goal saw off third-placed Spain, who Ireland face on Thursday.
If Muller's side beat the pre-tournament favourites, they will guarantee themselves a place in the final before their last game against the hosts on Friday. The top two teams will meet in the final on Sunday, with only the winner securing a place at London 2012.
Despite dominating the opening half against Mexico, Ireland’s breakthrough only came in the 44th minute when O’Flynn flicked in a short corner. Curiously, that prompted a change in goal for Mexico with the hitherto impressive Ahidee Castillo taken off for by Selma del la Flores.
The replacement did little but pick the ball out of the net after that as Smyth scored on a reverse shortly after the opener. Both players doubled their tallies in the last five minutes and Sargent wrapped up the win in the 69th minute.
Ireland starting XI:Pamela Smithwick, Nicola Symmons, Cliodhna Sargent, Sinead McCarthy, Audrey O Flynn, Emma Smyth, Lizzie Colvin, Emma Clarke, Alex Speers, Aine Connery, Nicola Evans.
Subs:Michelle Harvey, Shirley McCay, Nicola Daly, Chloe Watkins, Lisa Jacob.
Non Playing:Emma Gray, Miriam Crowley