Great Britain men produce stunning fightback to defeat Spain in FIH Pro League

Scotland’s Alan Forsyth played his part in an exceptional Match Day 2 of the FIH Pro League, that saw Great Britain’s men overturn a 4-1 deficit to claim a stunning 6-5 victory over hosts Spain in Valencia.

Spain’s Red Sticks were clearly full of confidence following their impressive shoot-out success over world champions Belgium in last Saturday’s FIH Pro League opener, and produced a sensational first quarter against a Great Britain team who were second best throughout the period.

Xavi Lleonart needed just two minutes to open the scoring when he fired into an unguarded goal after fine build-up play from Enrique Gonzalez before Adam Dixon pulled Great Britain level a minute later with a fine backhand effort. However, a three-goal blitz in just four first quarter minutes put the match firmly in control of the Spaniards, with Marc Bolto, Diego Arana and Albert Beltran’s brilliant, angled deflection into the roof of the GB goal giving the hosts a fully deserved 4-1 advantage at the end of the first period.

Great Britain started the second period with a clear determination to show that this match was far from over and pulled a goal back thanks to a low finish from Zach Wallace, who capitalised on Dutch umpire Coen van Bunge’s decision to allow play to continue following a Spanish infringement to find the bottom corner.

Incredibly, the team coached by Danny Kerry netted twice in the third quarter to drag themselves level at 4-4, with Mark Gleghorne slamming home a penalty corner before Man of the Match Adam Dixon netted his second of the match, showing lightning quick reactions to find the target after Sam Ward’s penalty corner drag-flick was saved by Spain goalkeeper Mario Garin.

A wonderful solo goal from team captain Phil Roper put Great Britain into the lead two minutes into the fourth and final quarter, before David Condon’s close-range volley made it 6-4 with three minutes remaining. However, just as it seemed that the result was settled, Spain through caution to the wind by replacing their goalkeeper with an outfield player. It was a tactic that reaped huge rewards in last weekend’s 2-2 draw with Belgium and had an instant impact against Great Britain, with Spain immediately winning a penalty corner that was dispatched into the roof of the GB net at the second attempt by Alvaro Iglesias to set up a frenetic finish to the contest.

A trio of penalty corners in the dying stages gave the Red Sticks the opportunity to claim a draw and force another shoot-out. However, a brilliant stick save on the line from Sam Ward followed by a crucial block from George Pinner denied the hosts a leveller, with Great Britain claiming a 6-5 victory in dramatic circumstances.

GB Men Head Coach Danny Kerry was left understandably upbeat with the result. “I’m delighted for the lads, as well as the staff.

“We were rusty in the first half, but after that we played with both brains and skill. I’m sure it made for excellent viewing in our very first Pro League game. Now we go onwards!”

Find out more about Scottish Hockey’s international performance pathway HERE

 

Recent posts:

Back to all news
Back to top