Great Britain men lose out to Argentina


Despite two goals from East Grinstead’s Ashley Jackson, Great
Britain’s men went down 3-2 to Argentina at the Sultan Azlan Shah
Cup in a match that began 20 minutes late following a rain
delay.

Against a well organised side, Great Britain struggled to break
down the Argentina defence and paid the price for conceding two
poor goals in the second half having hauled themselves back into
the match through Ashley Jackson’s 39th minute equaliser.  Not
even the replacement of goalkeeper James Fair for an 11th outfield
player with four minutes remaining could salvage a point for GB,
who will be without Surbiton forward James Tindall for the
remainder of the tournament after he turned his ankle in Sunday’s
victory over India.  Jonty Clarke, who began on the bench,
made his 50th appearance for Great Britain in the match.

A disappointed Head Coach Jason Lee said afterwards, “Quite simply
it was an appalling performance.  If we play like that in the
Olympic Games we will finish in the minor placings.”

Great Britain fell behind to a well struck strike from Enrique
Paredes after just eight minutes.  Defending a cross from the
right, the ball came loose off a British stick and fell perfectly
to Paredes, who fired his shot beyond the dive of James Fair in
goal.

Great Britain responded by winning a brace of penalty corners but
failed to convert them.  As the first half wore on, Argentina
sat deeper and although Great Britain dominated possession they
could not find a way through.

Jackson’s equaliser at the start of the second half could not have
come at a better time for GB but no sooner had they levelled than
Argentina retook the lead through Paredes’ near post deflection.
 And eight minutes later it was 3-1 as Lucas Heman Cammareri
swept home from the middle of the circle after the ball was cut
back to him from the baseline.

With five minutes remaining Jackson netted his and Great Britain’s
second goal, this time a low penalty corner, and a minute later
Cannock goalkeeper Fair was substituted for an 11th outfield player
as GB went in search of a late equaliser.  But despite
exerting intense pressure on the Argentinean circle in the closing
stages Great Britain could not find a third goal and went down to
their first defeat of the tournament following a draw with Malaysia
and victory over India.

Adding to Jason Lee’s comments, Team Manager Andy Halliday said,
“We must not feel sorry for ourselves after this.  We need to
pick ourselves up and regroup for the game against New
Zealand.”

Great Britain’s match against New Zealand, who lead the standings
with three victories in three games, is at 11:05am BST on
Wednesday.

Despite two goals from East Grinstead’s Ashley Jackson,
Great Britain’s men went down 3-2 to Argentina at the Sultan Azlan
Shah Cup in a match that began 20 minutes late following a rain
delay.

Against a well organised side, Great Britain
struggled to break down the Argentina defence and paid the price
for conceding two poor goals in the second half having hauled
themselves back into the match through Ashley Jackson’s 39th minute
equaliser.

Not even the replacement of goalkeeper James Fair for an 11th
outfield player with four minutes remaining could salvage a point
for GB, who will be without Surbiton forward James Tindall for the
remainder of the tournament after he turned his ankle in Sunday’s
victory over India.  Jonty Clarke, who began on the bench,
made his 50th appearance for Great Britain in the match.

A disappointed Head Coach Jason Lee said afterwards, “Quite
simply it was an appalling performance.  If we play like that
in the Olympic Games we will finish in the minor placings.”

Great Britain fell behind to a well struck strike from Enrique
Paredes after just eight minutes.  Defending a cross from the
right, the ball came loose off a British stick and fell perfectly
to Paredes, who fired his shot beyond the dive of James Fair in
goal.

Great Britain responded by winning a brace of penalty corners
but failed to convert them.  As the first half wore on,
Argentina sat deeper and although Great Britain dominated
possession they could not find a way through.

Jackson’s equaliser at the start of the second half could not
have come at a better time for GB but no sooner had they levelled
than Argentina retook the lead through Paredes’ near post
deflection.  And eight minutes later it was 3-1 as Lucas Heman
Cammareri swept home from the middle of the circle after the ball
was cut back to him from the baseline.

With five minutes remaining Jackson netted his and Great
Britain’s second goal, this time a low penalty corner, and a minute
later Cannock goalkeeper Fair was substituted for an 11th outfield
player as GB went in search of a late equaliser.

But despite exerting intense pressure on the Argentinean circle
in the closing stages Great Britain could not find a third goal and
went down to their first defeat of the tournament following a draw
with Malaysia and victory over India.

Adding to Jason Lee’s comments, Team Manager Andy Halliday said,
“We must not feel sorry for ourselves after this.  We need to
pick ourselves up and regroup for the game against New
Zealand.”

Great Britain’s match against New Zealand, who lead the
standings with three victories in three games, is at 11:05am BST on
Wednesday.

 

 

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