GB men beat Japan and Forsyth scores again

Forsyth GB Japan

Great Britain 5 (Barry Middleton 3, David Goodfield 12, Sam Ward 15, Tom Carson 32, Alan Forsyth 52)

Japan 3 (Kenta Tanaka 14, 38, Kota Watanabe 49)

Great Britain’s men’s team earned a high-scoring win against Japan in their second game of the Azlan Shah Cup in Malaysia, with Scotland’s Alan Forsyth on the scoresheet for the second game in a row.

Bobby Crutchley’s side got off to a flier, and were 3-1 up at the end of the first quarter thanks to Barry Middleton, David Goodfield and Sam Ward.

It was Middleton who set the tone very early on, deflecting home a reverse stick cross with only three minutes gone. In only his second game of this new cycle, it was pleasing for Middleton to show his class and get on the scoresheet early.

If Middleton adds experience, then the likes of David Goodfield are very much the new blood of the group, and on only his second appearance for GB, he rounded the keeper from fellow newbie Jonty Griffiths’ cross.

Japan pulled one back quickly through Kenta Tanaka, but GB were not to be put off; Jonty Griffiths again the provider for Sam Ward, who tapped home for 3-1 on 14 minutes.

Crutchley’s side then converted a penalty corner for 4-1, with Tom Carson scoring, having notched against India 24 hours earlier.

But Japan continued to fight back, with Tanaka again on target and then Kota Watanabe making it 4-3 after video referral with eleven minutes left.

However Crutchley’s side quickly put paid to Japan’s hopes of a comeback, Forsyth firing home for 5-3 after Ward’s assist.

With England and Scotland both preparing for World Cup qualifiers in London this summer, and Wales with a player in the British squad for the first time in recent years, there is a huge summer of hockey ahead for the home nations.

GB’s next game in this tournament is on Tuesday 2nd May against Malaysia at 1:35pm UK time. Click here for more details on this event.

Great Britain: Harry Gibson (GK), Brendan Creed, Liam Sanford, Ollie Willars, Henry Weir, Ian Sloan (c), Barry Middleton, Mark Gleghorne, David Goodfield, Tom Carson, Alan Forsyth
Subs (used): Sam Ward, Phil Roper, Chris Griffiths, Jonty Griffiths, James Gall, Dan Kyriakides
Sub (unused): Chris Wyver (GK)

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