The bonus for winning remains unclear but the implications for the loser of Ireland’s Women\u2019s Hockey World Cup clash with New Zealand on Tuesday are all too obvious.<\/p>\n
Ireland started with a 3-2 loss to Spain<\/a>, New Zealand went down 5-2 to Belgium – so it\u2019s back to the Belfius Hockey Arena for both at 11am to try and keep their main tournament hopes alive, although there will be a classification series for those sides who don\u2019t finish in the top two in their group.<\/p>\n A draw will keep both alive, just.<\/p>\n Irish captain Sarah Hawkshaw cut a dejected figure after the loss to Spain but, speaking to RT\u00c9 Sport, she was quick to point out that the Black Sticks were also fighting for survival.<\/p>\n “Same for them (the pressure), they\u2019d a loss their first game so it\u2019s going to be a real battle on Tuesday,” she said.<\/p>\n “We\u2019ll learn (from the Spain loss), we\u2019ll recover then we\u2019ll be focusing on what we have, which will be a good fight on Tuesday against New Zealand.”<\/p>\n The sides have enjoyed tight battles in recent times. Early last year in the Nations Cup, Ireland were 1-0 winners in the group before New Zealand got the better of them in the final on penalties \u2013 Hawkshaw one of only two players to convert on that occasion.<\/p>\n The previous year, Ireland secured their first-ever win against New Zealand<\/a> in their 10th attempt.<\/p>\n Hawkshaw hopes that can learn enough in time from the Spanish defeat, and she feels there is plenty to improve on.<\/p>\n “We knew the game would come down to corners and set-plays, as it often does against Spain. And it showed, they got the better side of it.<\/p>\n Ireland made a gallant effort in their opening World Cup game against Spain but the Redsticks ran out 3-2 winners.<\/p>\n Catch highlights from the game below and follow all the games from the men’s and women’s FIH Hockey World Cup on RT\u00c92 and RT\u00c9 Player. pic.twitter.com\/0FmsbBycFc<\/a><\/p>\n