The hazards of pool play and quarter-finals pitted the two top-ranked teams against each other for an explosive semi-final, with the winners off to World League Round 3 and the losers still having another chance to maintain their Olympic dream alive in the 3rd-4th place match. Before the match, Irish Chris Cargo and Canadian goal-keeper David Carter were honored for their 100th International Cap.

Tension was palpable in the two teams before the match. The Canadians were fast in action in the Irish circle in the opening minute, then play settled in midfield for an observation round. Play was intense and of good level, but with no clear chance at either end. Canada had the first penalty-corner of the match on a hard shot by Matthew Guest deflected by David Harte on a defender’s foot, but Scott Tupper’s attempt was thwarted by a running defender and first quarter ended logically scoreless.

Canada seemed to take a slight territorial advantage early in second quarter, making the Irish run after their passes. Mark Pearson had a chance after stealing a ball from the Irish defense but was just short to beat David Harte in the Irish goal. Hockey was fast and entertaining for the spectators, but the two teams were efficiently neutralizing each other.

Ireland found an opening in the 26th minute and forced a penalty-corner in the crowded Canadian circle. They tried a fancy variation that fizzled and the Canadian could clear their territory. Canada earned another penalty-corner for some rough Irish defense but Tupper was denied again by David Harte and the two teams walked back-to-back and scoreless into the half-time break, with the feeling that the result could swing either way.  

Play remained balanced at the beginning of second half, with neither team giving an inch to the opposition. Both sides tried aerial ball to get away from the tight marking but with no real benefit. Ireland earned a penalty-corner in the 39th minute and Shane O'Donoghue did not go for fancy this time, powerfully propelling the ball high over David Carter’s head to give a tenuous lead to the Europeans. O'Donoghue added a second goal three minutes later and things started to look bleak for the Canadians.

Ireland earned two penalty-corners early in fourth quarter, but bobbled the first and sent the other way over the Canadian goal. They had however taken a good grip on the match and the Canadians were struggling to get away from their defensive end.

The end of match was intense and ferociously contested, but the slope was too steep for the Canadians and the Irish team was soon celebrating their qualification for the next round of the World League, while the disappointed Canadians were looking at regrouping before their next match, against either Austria or Russia, to earn the third ticket for Round 3.