Alan Sothern scored a hat-trick as Ireland beat China 6-0 in their World League Semi-Final Pool B clash in Antwerp.
Ireland’s first win of the tournament – after a draw with Great Britain and loss to Malaysia – came in convincing fashion against a team which has now lost four times and conceded 23 goals.
Britain beat China 8-1 on Thursday and Ireland were left frustrated by disciplined defending in the first quarter.
Sothern scored twice in quick succession in the second before winning a penalty stroke, which was saved.
Peter Caruth scored Ireland’s third after fine link-up play before Ronan Gormley netted from a penalty corner early in the second half.
Sothern’s third followed before Stephen Dowds netted a sixth.
Goalkeeper David Harte suffered a neck injury following a collision with a Chinese forward and had to be replaced by David Fitzgerald.
Ireland play Belgium on Sunday, but have already advanced to the quarter-finals. The top three ranked sides at the end of the World League qualify for Rio 2016.