Women\u2019s World Cup: Ireland 3 (Hawkshaw 24, Upton 49 pen, Mullan 56), New Zealand 2 (Surridge 35, Doar 59)<\/p>\n
The odds might still be against them taking a top-two finish in their World Cup<\/a> group, but Ireland at least kept their hopes alive in Belgium on Tuesday morning by beating New Zealand 3-2. <\/p>\n However, they now most likely need a win over the Belgians, ranked third in the world, on Thursday if they are to snag that top-two finish and progress to the business end of the tournament. A draw might even do the job if New Zealand get the better of the Spanish in their final group game. In other words, it\u2019s all up in air. <\/p>\n Ireland at least took the points they needed to give them a chance, with goals from captain Sarah Hawkshaw, R\u00f3is\u00edn Upton and Katie Mullan. <\/p>\n An eventful opening quarter saw New Zealand go close from two penalty corners, before Upton came close herself from Ireland\u2019s first two set pieces of the game. It was, though, a disjointed display from both sides, the contest littered with misplaced passes and soft turnovers. <\/p>\n Goal!<\/p>\n Ireland 1-0 New Zealand<\/p>\n Sarah Hawkshaw puts Ireland ahead in what has been a tense clash with New Zealand. Big moment in the World Cup campaign. <\/p>\n Watch live on RT\u00c92 and RT\u00c9 Player pic.twitter.com\/AOWUqLpQNS<\/a><\/p>\n