Emma Gray, the Irish goalkeeper, celebrated her 50th international cap with a stunning performance to keep an Australia side, which threatened to run riot, in check, Gray saved five penalty corners but could not prevent Australia going three goals ahead in the first 20 minutes through Fiona Boyce, Emily Smith and Jodie Schulz from a penalty corner.
Ireland playing their first match under new coach Denis Pritchard, and playing without five players released for the summer, clawed their way into the game. However, they went further behind 12 minutes into the second half when Casey Eastham's shot was deflected in by a defender. A consolation goal came 15 minutes from time when Nicola Daly turned in Anna O'Flanagan's free hit.
South Africa became the first side to qualify for Saturday's semi finals despite losing a scintillating match to Germany. The first 15 minutes were all South Arica but somehow Germany survived. "We did not play well but we defended well" was how Germany coach Michael Behrmann expressed it.
In the 30th minute Eileen Hoffman scored the only goal with a deft deflection. Thereafter it was mostly South African pressure with an occasional German counter but the equaliser did not come.
Great Britain need to beat Germany on Thursday by a two goal margin to claim the other semi final place from this group.
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