Ireland lost their third successive World Cup game in Belgium on Monday, with a 3-1 defeat against the United States.The loss means they will face South Africa in the 13th-place playoff on Thursday.Needing a win to top their classification pool, Ireland took the lead through Niamh Carey in the first quarter when she deflected home Aisling Utri’s reverse in to the circle.But the US fought back with goals in each of the last three quarters, Lucy Adams, Mia Schoenbeck and Abigail Tamer the providers. Ireland now journey to Amstelveen in the Netherlands, co-hosting the tournament alongside Belgium, where South Africa await. who are ranked four places below Ireland, Whatever the result, it will be Ireland’s second lowest placing in seven World Cup appearances, behind only their 15th-place finish in 2002.