GB men stutter against South Africa

OLYMPIC HOCKEY

GREAT BRITAIN  2  SOUTH AFRICA 2

Team GB men`s chances of a semi-final place took a
considerable dent when Jason Lee`s side were held to a 2-2 draw by
South Africa, the lowest ranked team in the
Games. 

It might have been much worse as the South Africans led 2-1 with
under three minutes left, but the blushes were saved by a deflected
goal by Ashley Jackson for the equaliser.

GB started the first half brightly, Barry Middleton, on his
100th GB cap, scooped the ball over the goalkeeper but also over
the bar in five minutes.  In 13 minutes Ashley Jackson won
GB`s first penalty corner and the same player sent a vicious drag
flick into the roof of the net for the opener.   Then
mysteriously the home side`s performance went flat as South Africa
came more into the game without creating any clear-cut chances.

A few minutes before the interval Jason Lee`s charges won their
second set piece, but this time Jackson`s high flick was
brilliantly saved by the glove of the goalkeeper.

South Africa came out the much stronger side after the interval
as Great Britain seem to put themselves under self-imposed
pressure.  Then came the shock, Austin Smith equalised for the
visitors with a low drag flick past James Fair at their first
penalty corner of the contest, followed by a powerful strike by
Jonathan Robinson from the top of the circle for a 2-1 lead.

In a dramatic last couple of minutes, Jackson stole an unlikely
equaliser for GB, although the goal was only confirmed following a
video referral.   Further drama as GB were awarded an
overtime penalty corner, but Jackson`s flick was kept out by the
glove of the South African goalkeeper.

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