Sport

Northern Ireland netballers can seal top ten finish with win over Barbados

Northern Ireland and New Zealand players huddle during the Netball World Cup. Picture by Nigel French, Press Association
Northern Ireland and New Zealand players huddle during the Netball World Cup. Picture by Nigel French, Press Association Northern Ireland and New Zealand players huddle during the Netball World Cup. Picture by Nigel French, Press Association
By Diarmuid Pepper

NORTHERN Ireland will secure a top-ten finish should they beat Barbados in today’s early morning match at the Netball World Cup.

Having suffered a shock defeat to Zimbabwe in the first preliminary stages, Northern Ireland still done enough to progress as one of the top-12 ranked sides thanks to victory over Sri Lanka.

However, Northern Ireland tasted defeat to Malawi in the opening game of the second preliminary stages.

This was followed by a heavy defeat to high-flying New Zealand who are hoping to break Australia’s grip on the competition.

While a top-eight finish is now beyond Northern Ireland, they will advance to a ninth and 10th place play-off match should they overcome Barbados.

Defeat to Barbados would result in Northern Ireland finishing the World Cup outside the top ten, which would be a disappointing World Cup campaign for a side ranked 8th in the world prior to the competition in Liverpool.