Ireland was under pressure from the outset but managed to contain the powerful Russian students to a single goal in the first half. After half time, Irish hopes were briefly raised with an equalising goal from Keith Shevlin who is studying at the University of North Carolina in the USA. Those hopes were very shortlived as the floodgates opened and the Irish conceded a further five goals to suffer a crushing 6-1 defeat.

The scoring sequence was:- Garbanets (Russia)18 minutes, Keith Shevlin 63 minutes, Shiskin (Russia) 68 minutes, Garbanets (Russia) 82 minutes, Pravosud (Russia) 85 minutes, Garbanets (Russia) 89 minutes, Nikolaev (Russia) 94 minutes. The other opening Group B game saw Japan score a 2-1 victory over Thailand.

Ireland performed with greater resilience in their second group fixture against Japan and were a shade unlucky to lose to the only goal of the game scored in the 62nd minute.

The final group fixture saw Ireland face Thailand who had also lost their opening two group matches. There was little occurrence of note during the first half until seconds before half time when Sukka scored to put Thailand ahead at the break.

Ireland responded after the break with an equalising goal scored by Shane Guthrie of CSN in the 54th minute. Seven minutes later, Ireland fell behind again and the position worsened in the 65th minute when Thailand scored a third goal. Ireland were not prepared to go down without a fight and reduced the arrears through Keith Shevlin in the 75th minute.In a final flourish, University College Cork’s Bryan McCarthy levelled matters in the 89th minute.

Final Group B Standings: