Irish Defence Forces reach Quarter Finals

Ireland started with a 4-5-1 formation to stifle their opponents and threatened through counter attacks and set pieces in the opening 15 minutes.

Qatar, who came runners up in the last World Games, were awarded a penalty on 16 minutes after a foul in the box which was saved fantastically by keeper Ken Deegan. Unfortunately the joy was short lived as Qatar caught the Defence Forces cold from the resulting corner with a bullet header into the top corner.

Ireland responded well and continuing to threaten through set pieces and counter attacks with chances falling to the excellent Tony Smith and Chris Kenny.

After half time the Defence Forces began to pose more problems for Qatar and were rewarded with a penalty after Adrian Rafferty was stopped by the hand of a Qatar defender. Kenny fired home the equaliser. 

Qatar threw everything at Ireland but they held firm. As the game progressed the Irish team, knowing a win would guarantee a place in the Quarter Final place, took a more attacking approach in the final ten minutes and caused the opposition defence major problems with chances for Kenny and Dillon.

The game nearly ended in a dream result in the last 30 seconds when Craig Doran stole the ball 40 metres from inside his own half and drove forward towards the Qatar goal. He gave the ball to Craig Shortt, who beat the defender and nutmegged the goalkeeper only to have his effort cleared off the line by an excellent last ditch tackle.

The Irish then had a long wait as they required other game results to be completed to know their fate. The good news came through at 5pm Chinese time as the team knew they had made the last eight.