The result at the Lee Valley Hockey Centre means the Irish, who have never qualified from the group stages before and have not even qualified for the tournament since 2002, now sit top of Pool B on six points and are guaranteed a place in the quarter-finals, with one pool game still to go.

The last round of pool fixtures will see England play Ireland in what will now be a crucial tie for the hosts, as if England fail to win and either India or the United States win their match, the home side will be knocked out.

In the only other game today Spain thrashed South Africa 7-1 in Pool C to draw level with 2014 bronze medallists Argentina on three points from two games.

However, with Argentina playing South Africa in their final group game, while Spain will face the in-form Germans, it is still unlikely that the Iberians will go through.

Tomorrow will see China face the reigning champions The Netherlands in Pool A at 4pm local time, with South Korea then going up against Italy in the same pool.