For a truly awful split second, five minutes from time in Ireland's opening match of the European Nations' Cup qualifier in Helsinki yesterday, it looked as though Riet Kuper's competitive debut as Irish coach would end in a frustrating draw with Wales.
But, just as the Welsh seemed certain to equalise, goalkeeper Tara Browne pulled off a magnificent point-blank save from Lynda Watkin, protecting her team's hard-earned 1-0 lead, one they maintained until full time.
"Absolutely brilliant," a relieved Kuper said of Browne's heroics after the game, which Ireland won with a beautifully taken first-half goal by Claire McMahon.
"That wasn't a game, it was a battle," said Kuper. "They were right on top of us the whole match and just didn't want us to play, but these things happen. You can't do any more than come out on the winning side of a battle and that is what we did."
After beating the Welsh 5-1, 4-2 and 5-1 again in recent friendlies in Dublin, the Irish might have expected a less stressful afternoon's work but while Wales rarely threatened the Irish goal - they had just one shot on target from play in the course of the match - they successfully stifled the Irish midfield and attack with tight, and occasionally bruising, marking.
It wasn't until the 25th minute that Ireland created their first clear opening, from which McMahon scored the game's only goal. The Pegasus forward intercepted Welsh sweeper Rachel O'Bryan's attempted pass to her left back and rounded goalkeeper Michelle Thomas, before slotting the ball home.
McMahon and her clubmate Kim Mills had opportunities to increase the Irish lead in the second half but both shot tamely at Thomas.
By then Laura Brown was controlling a crowded midfield, producing a performance that drew praise from her coach after the game, but it was Mary Logue's display on the right side of midfield that had Kuper in raptures.
"I know she is brilliant in an attacking role as well but today she did what was necessary for the team - she showed them how to do it, how to fight," she said of the Irish captain who effectively marked Emma James, Wales' most dangerous player, out of the game in a wonderfully disciplined performance.
Left-back Caitriona O'Kelly also turned in another composed display while Rachel Kohler was as industrious and spirited as ever in front of her on the left side of midfield.
Victory over Belarus tomorrow afternoon would secure Ireland's place in Thursday's semi-finals and leave them just one more win away from qualification for next summer's European Nations' Cup in Germany.
They are unlikely to be joined there by Finland, who lost their opening match 5-0 to the Czech Republic on Saturday. While he appears to lack confidence in his own ability, Finnish coach Kari Saari predicts he will retain his position after the tournament. "I cannot be sacked because I am the only field hockey coach in Finland."
Ireland: T Browne; C Devine, A Thompson, J Stewart, C O'Kelly, M Logue (capt), L Brown, R Kohler, C McMahon, S Kelleher, K Mills. Subs: J Burke, K Humphreys.
Wales: M Thomas: M Robertson, C Merret, R O'Bryan, L Watkin (capt), C Jones, S Powell, E James, R Thomas, L Williams, J Williams. Subs: K Thomas, K Morgan, A Bevan, M Callaghan.
European Nations' Cup Qualifier (Helsinki) - Saturday: Pool B: France 2, Slovakia 0; Czech Republic 5, Finland 0. Yester- day: Pool A: Ireland 1 (C McMahon), Wales 0. Today: Pool A: Belarus v Wales; Pool B: Slovakia v Czech Rep; Finland v France.,
