Women's Hockey: Ireland coach Riet Kuper is prepared to sacrifice attractive hockey in pursuit of positive results at the World Cup qualifying tournament which gets under way against the United States in Rome this afternoon.
Kuper's chances of steering her charges into the finals in Madrid are not high. Ireland will have to beat at least two teams with a higher world ranking if they are to succeed in their objective of achieving a top-five finish which would take them to Spain in September.
Traditionally Kuper sets herself lofty targets but even she must concede the odds are stacked against Ireland progressing. A richly-merited 1-1 draw against eventual gold medallists Germany at the Olympic qualifying tournament in Auckland two years ago was the best result of her eight-year tenure as national coach.
However, if the rankings provide a genuine indicator, as they usually have over the years, then two wins over teams of only a slightly lower standing than the Germans in the classification stages (possibly against England and Japan) may well be required.
Victory in today's game against the Americans, ranked one place higher at 12th, would represent the perfect start and ease the pressure considerably.
Kuper and her captain, Hermes player Linda Caulfield, remain optimistic both about the American game and the tournament as a whole. "Results weren't important in the build-up (in which Ireland lost 11 of their 12 matches) but we have been playing with a new style which we will employ in Rome when the need arises," said the Irish coach.
"It's not about playing pretty hockey and we will revert to half-court against the stronger teams and try to hit them on the break."
"We are setting our stall out to beat USA and I wouldn't be happy with a draw," said Caulfield.
The Irish squad has a clean bill of health, although Bridget McKeever will revert to a midfield role after lining out at the heart of the Irish defence for the past 12 months. She has been moved back to avoid the possibility of further damaging a fractured cheekbone sustained last month. Jill Orbinson will occupy a defensive role in her place.
Eimear Cregan needed stitches in her shin after a training run-out against Japan but will be fit for today's game.
TODAY'S PROGRAMME: Pool A: China v Scotland, 8.0; England v Ukraine, 10.15; Japan v France, 5.0; Pool B: USA v IRELAND, 12.30; New Zealand v Azerbaijan, 2.45; Italy v Korea, 7.30.
