THE IRISH and New Zealanders enjoy each other's company and, no doubt, there will be much camaraderie in Delaney's Pub on Jalan Sultan Ismail in Kuala Lumpur at the end of the week. Yesterday, however, the two sides engaged in the most physical match of the hockey World Cup qualifying tournament.
Ireland will not be going to Utrecht next year for they have lacked the skills, flair and acceleration of teams such as Spain, Malaysia, South Korea and Argentina.
Importantly, though, alter three demoralising defeats, honour was saved in the spirit and concentration of yesterday's performance. Furthermore, it was the best result in six meetings with New Zealand, who had won all the previous games, including an Intercontinental Cup semi-final in 1981.
This draw has damaged the Kiwis and they may yet struggle to earn one of the six tickets to the Netherlands.
"We expected the Irish to come out fighting," said coach Keith Gorringe. "We knew they were not going to lie down - but we didn't score when we should have. It was a bad performance.
Ireland's coach Cees Koppelaar was happier. "Our organisation was better today. We were too widespread in other games."
On the toughness of the clash, Koppelaar said: "I disliked a lot of their tackles. Of course, we were not playing like mellow girls but New Zealand were the real winners on fouls."
The Irish captain, Alan Dowd, agreed that both teams were "physical, though the Kiwis were heavier in the challenge - the umpires had to get rid of a few players".
Dowd had a storming game in leading by example, first from the back in steadying the defence and then providing considerable impetus from midfield in the second-half.
It was also an occasion to remember for Nigel Henderson, the number two goalkeeper who, after much commitment over the last six years, made an assertive international debut. He was particularly adept in narrowing the angles when the New Zealanders threatened to strike.
For Ireland, it was a question old hanging in during the first-half. It was a blow in the opening minute to lose David McAnulty with a gashed eyebrow which needed five stitches. Each side forced a short corner without reward before New Zealand created the more clear-cut chances from open play.
It was not until six minutes after the interval, however, that their captain, Jamie Smith, broke through to score. Umesh Parag then missed an open goal and Ireland sensed that they could get some reward from their efforts, especially while New Zealand were down to nine men because of yellow-card offences.
Lee Tumilty, Julian Stevenson and Daniel Clarke started to test the cover with probing runs and, after a succession of uncompromising tackles, the New Zealanders yielded a short corner to Robbie Taylor, who whipped home the equaliser in the 57th minute.
Dowd sent Taylor through to force another corner in the dying stages but Scott Anderson saved the set-piece shot.
Then, to Ireland's great relief, Neil Cooke, somehow managed to foil a three-man Kiwi attack when a winning goal seemed at their mercy. Other such tackles earlier by Errol Lutton, Gregg Sterritt (in his 50th international) and Colin Hade were also features of this heartening performance.
