Kookaburras power past Ireland to secure 3-1 win in World Cup opener

The Kookaburras have secured a commanding 3-1 victory over Ireland, with Joel Rintala striking twice as Australia produced a clinical first-half performance.

Australia made a strong start to the contest, controlling much of the opening quarter before Rintala broke the deadlock midway through the term.

The Kookaburras earned a penalty corner and Rintala fired low, with his effort cannoning off the post, into the Irish goalkeeper and across the line to hand Australia a 1-0 advantage at quarter-time.

Rintala was at the heart of the action again in the second quarter, doubling Australia's advantage in the 23rd minute with another penalty corner conversion.

Just four minutes later, Blake Govers added a third as the Kookaburras' penalty corner battery continued to cause Ireland problems.

Govers made no mistake with his opportunity, giving Australia a commanding 3-0 lead heading into the half-time break.

Ireland responded strongly after the interval and began to wrestle back control of the contest during a tightly fought third quarter.

Despite enjoying more possession and applying pressure to the Australian defence, Ireland were unable to find a way through as the Kookaburras maintained their three-goal advantage heading into the final term.

Ireland continued to push in the fourth quarter and eventually found a breakthrough late in the match through Alistair Empey, reducing the margin to two.

The goal set up a tense finish as Ireland searched for another, but Kookaburras goalkeeper Ash Thomas stood tall, producing a number of crucial saves in the closing stages to shut the door on any potential comeback.

Australia's defence held firm through the final minutes to secure the 3-1 victory, getting their World Cup campaign off and running with a win.

Final score: Australia 3 Ireland 1.

Australia now turn their attention Spain when the Kookaburras face them on Tuesday at 10pm AEST. Catch it live and free on 7plus.

Australia Goals:

Rintala (7th and 23rd Minute PC)

Govers (27th Minute PC)

Ireland Goals:

Alistair Empey (54th Minute PC)