Ireland and Japan dueled in Pool D action on day two of the women’s U20 championship, with Ireland coming out narrowly on top in a 12-11 thriller.
Ireland finished in 19th at the last edition of the championship in 2019 while Japan finished in fifth.
The two teams traded blows all game, with Japan leading 3-2 at the end of the first quarter, before a tied 5-5 scoreline at halftime.
Ireland pulled ahead to an 8-7 lead heading into the fourth and scored the first goal of the frame, but Japan scored the next three goals to lead 10-9.
Ireland tied the game with just under five minutes to play, before Japan retook the lead at 11-10 a minute and a half later.
Ireland had the last say with a goal from Elizabeth Watts with under three minutes to play on an assist from Kendra Harris, before Harris scored the game-winner with under 90 seconds.
Brigid Welch finished as the player of the match for Ireland, scoring four goals, including two in the fourth quarter, and tallying an assist.
Miri Akiyami scored three goals for Japan and Negai Nakazawa had a goal and an assist.
The result leaves Japan with a lot of ground to make up in Pool D, with Ireland, England and Hong Kong, China all in the win column already.
Ireland has a day off before facing the host Hong Kong, China on Sunday at 2 p.m. while Japan will face Jamaica at 2 p.m. on Saturday
