New Delhi: Ireland produced a solid if unspectacular performance from a scrappy men’s Hero Hockey World League Round Two 2013, beating Oman to improve their chances of progressing to round three.

Alan Sothern started his run with his seventh goal of the tournament following a sharp turn and shot and they moved two up when Geoff McCabe’s right wing cross took a heavy deflection from Salim Ali Al Zadjali.

But Oman were an aggressive lively force throughout and nicked one back via Mohamed Hubais Al Shar’s heavily deflected drag-flick in the 28th minute. Conor Harte’s corner goal reasserted Irish control before half-time and a second half effort from Sothern along with two from Mitch Darling extended the lead to 6-1. Al Shar replied from the penalty spot but Davy Carson’s neat chip completed the scoring for Ireland.

Oman – Ireland 2-7 (half-time: 1-3)