Hockey World Cup: Ireland 7 Malaysia 4

Less than 24 hours after Spain ended their hopes of progressing to the top eight phase of the World Cup, Ireland’s men were back in action against Malaysia in their ninth-16th pool on Friday. And in what proved to be a goal-fest of an encounter, they ran out 7-4 winners, Jonny Lynch helping himself to a hat-trick.

Lynch completed his treble inside the opening 24 minutes, Matthew Nelson chipping in to give Ireland a handsome lead by then, but Malaysia pulled two goals back either side of half-time to make a game of it.

Johnny McKee and Nelson again restored that four-goal advantage, Ben Walker getting Ireland’s seventh in between two more Malaysian consolation scores. A point against France on Sunday would send Ireland in to the ninth-10th place playoff, which would ensure their highest ever World Cup placing.