Ireland secured their best-ever Hockey World Cup finish despite a 2-1 defeat by South Korea on Sunday. The loss means Ireland will face either Japan or Chile in the ninth-to-tenth place playoff, a result that guarantees their highest tournament placing to date. Both sides struggled to create chances in the first half, with the first penalty corner arriving midway through the third quarter. South Korea took the lead when Jang Jong-hyun’s pressure forced a turnover, allowing him to round the goalkeeper and score. Ireland pressed hard and equalized through Sean Murray after being denied twice from penalty corners. In the final quarter, Ireland dominated but conceded a late winner when Kim Sung-yeol turned the ball past David Harte from close range with just over a minute remaining.

"Just a disappointing result, to be honest," said Ireland's Shane O'Donoghue of the defeat. "In the end, I think we knew we were through to the ninth-to-tenth playoff, but it's important for ranking points and going forward for next year."

Ireland and South Korea have been battling in the world rankings for the sixth-placed European side, which would guarantee a quarter-final place at next summer's Euro Hockey finals. With quarter-finalists likely securing spots in the Paris 2024 qualifiers, the finishing position carries significant weight. As South Korea are guaranteed to finish above Ireland, it should secure that sixth seed for the Euros, pending final tournament confirmation.