Northern Ireland lost out to both England and hosts Australia in their final group games at the Powerchair World Cup finals.
The results meant Northern Ireland failed to register a win across their nine group matches at the tournament.
However, they still have a chance of getting a win at the World Cup, which is being staged at Sydney Olympic Park’s Quay Centre, as they are due to take part in the ninth/10th place play-off tomorrow.
This week Northern Ireland have suffered several narrow defeats and their performances should have led to more points on the board than the two they picked up when drawing with Uruguay and Argentina.
First up at Sydney Olympic Park’s Quay Centre earlier today was the encounter with Australia.
The first half was a pretty even contest before Australia’s Dimitri Liolio-Davis followed up after a Bec Evans dribble and got the ball over the line.
Liolio-Davis got a second in the 28th minute after a fortunate rebound gave him two chances, and the second deflection went in.
Just a minute later Bec Evans was found on the left wing again, forcing the ball into a dangerous area where Northern Ireland goalkeeper Sean McKinney couldn’t get out of the way and unfortunately put the ball in the net for an own goal.
Cumiskey got one back for Northern Ireland in the 36th minute, hitting a powerful spinning shot to bring the game back to 3-1. And that was how it finished.
England had already booked their place in the semi-finals prior to their game against Northern Ireland today.
Northern Ireland started brightly and created a couple of chances, although they also had to defend resolutely throughout the first half.
England took the lead after the break when Chris Gordon got up for a corner and drilled the ball home.
They got their second through an excellent reverse spinning shot from Dave Lewis which flew past Sean McKinney into the net. The game ended 2-0 in England’s favour.
The semi-finals and final in the FIPFA (Federation Internationale de Powerchair Football Association) Powerchair Football World Cup plus placing matches will all be staged at the Quay Centre tomorrow.
The players representing Northern Ireland in Australia this week are: Scott Hilland (captain), Patrick Cumiskey, Bartek Kuszkowski, Jason Browning, Carl McVeigh and Sean McKinney.
