A semi-final place for GB men

OLYMPICS

GREAT BRITAIN  1   SPAIN  1 
(MEN)

Ashley Jackson was again the hero with a first half goal
that launched Great Britain men into the semi-finals and kept them
in the hunt for an Olympic  medal.  

Needing  only a draw against Spain in the final pool match,
GB finished the game at 1-1, but it was a nail-biting finale that
almost came unstuck as Jason Lee`s charges survived two Spanish
penalty corners and had another two reversed by umpire referrals,
all in the last three minutes.

The first half was a tense affair with only a couple of chances
for GB, James Tindall`s penalty corner strike was saved by the
Spanish keeper while the other opportunity fell to the ever-alert
Ashley Jackson but the rebound off the keeper just eluded his
stick.  Lee`s charges finally relieved the tension four
minutes from the interval at a penalty corner, Jackson`s low drag
flick flew past the keeper for his fifth goal of the tournament so
far.   Tindall had a snap shot just on the half-time
hooter but his high shot was blocked by the keeper.

The Spanish increased the pace after the interval and James Fair
in the British goal was the busier keeper.  The pressure was
increased when Spain equalised from a set piece strike by Pau
Quemada whose shot flew past Fair.  GB lost their way and were
forced back into desperate defending as the Spanish pressed for the
elusive winner, but fortunately the rearguard held firm against the
pressure.

GB`s cause was helped earlier in the day when other semi-final
contenders Pakistan were beaten 7-0 by Australia, so it is Team GB
who will play the Netherlands in tomorrow`s semi-finals. 

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