AFTER Ireland's comprehensive 4-0 demolition by South Africa and Belarus' sixth successive defeat, this time by Switzerland, neither side was going to experience much delight in their wooden spoon meeting in Kuala Lumpur today, particularly as it was being staged in broiling, mid afternoon conditions.
At least there was some joy in the play offs yesterday for the host nation, Malaysia, and Canada as they duly gained the fifth and sixth tickets from this qualifying tournament for the World Cup in Utrecht next year.
The Malaysians, urged on by a delirious crowd of 14,000, scored three second half goals to end Belgium's hopes, while the Canadians, with goalkeeper Hari Kant outstanding, frustrated Argentina to win 2-0.
There can be no concealing the disappointment in the Irish camp at their failure to mount a challenge. Basically, the zip that was shown in Cagliari could not be repeated due to illness, injury and the demands of a tropical climate.
With no World Cup or Olympic Games participation, the objective now is to rebuild a squad for the 1999 European Championship in Padua. Among grains of encouragement in Kuala Lumpur have been the eager and skilful (perhaps too brief) appearances of the Tumilty brothers, Lee (22) and Mark (21) who, along with Chris Jackson and Mark Irwin, can be joined by other promising players coming through at youth level.
It has also been a source of satisfaction this week to see Nigel Henderson proving that he is a goalkeeper well up to international class. As deputy to Ivan Bateman, he has come in to earn three caps, and if it wasn't for his stouthearted and agile performance yesterday, the South Africans would,have won by an even richer margin.
Ireland were not outclassed in the first half. Indeed, a thrust involving Daniel Clarke and Jackson barely failed to yield the lead, which instead fell to South Africa in the 28th minute. The Irish defence hesitated as Robbie Taylor went down injured and the unmarked Greg Nicol had the space to score with a polished reverse stick shot.
Surprisingly, Ireland managed to force the larger number of short corners (9-6), particularly at the start of the second period. But Brian Myburgh kept out Alastair Dunne's set piece deliveries, one of which resulted in a swift break to the other end for Mike Cullen to put his side two up.
That was eight minutes after the interval and ultimately the South Africans used their pace to telling effect. Henderson's mobility checked them with a variety of saves until a final surge yielded quality goals for Craig Fulton and the game's sharpest attacker, Nicol.
Spain will meet South Korea in today's final. Spain were first to qualify, beating New Zealand 5-1. Javier Arnau struck twice in the opening six minutes and Juan Escarre consolidated their advantage in the 13th minute before Ken Robinson cut their arrears five minutes from half time.
It was not until the last 10 minutes that Spain finalised their triumph when Victor Pujol and their captain Joaquin Malgosa added to their tally.
