Team GB nearly come unstuck against 13th in world South African part-timers Rupert Shipperley’s goal at the death from a penalty corner rescued a draw 2-2Paul Revington’s all-out-attack side will now take on the world No1 Netherlands
Sam Ward has experienced enough adversity for a losing deficit in the dying minutes of an Olympics group game to hold no fears.
He plays in a mask because of the injury he sustained at a penalty corner against Malaysia six years ago, which shattered his eye socket.
He was the one driving the team into the late sequence of three penalty corners which yielded up an equaliser at the death against a South African team of mainly part-timers who have crowdfunded to be here.
Britain’s struggle for a foothold – they trailed twice – was a reflection on South African cussedness, more than failings of a side ranked second in the world and hungry to end a 36-year medal drought.
It was a fast-flowing game which lived up to British coach Ben Revington’s philosophy of all-out attack.
Attacker Sam Ward has worn a protective face mask since a ball shattered his eye socket from a penalty corner against Malaysia six years ago and he helped to lead Team GB’s late recovery
A late Rupert Shipperley’s goal set up by Sam Ward from a penalty corner rescued a 2-2 draw
Team GB are hoping to emulate the heroes of Seoul 1988 when the men’s team won the gold
South Africa are ranked just 13th in the world but they gave second ranked Team GB a scare
But the 13th ranked team had a relentless drive of their own. It’s why they led in a thrilling match against the Dutch on Saturday.
It’s the next challenge which will tell us most about whether Revington’s fancied, attacking side can emulate the British heroes of Seoul, 1988, who won gold.
The Dutch, the world No 1 side, who Great Britain face on Tuesday, were making a statement of intent against hosts France as Revington’s players fought out their draw.
Jip Janssen, delivering the same danger from short corners as Ward, is a player the British side will need to be ready for.
Floris Middendorp and Thijs van Dam, too, on this evidence. The Dutch mean business.
Their men’s and women’s team never shake hands – and only bump fists.
Last night’s fightback will fortify Great Britain, despite a day when the women’s side began with a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Spain.
Head coach Ben Revington has been compared to Pep Guadiola and his all-out-attack approach almost came unstuck against the lower-ranked part-time South African side
Team GB next face the world No1 ranked team, the Netherlands, on Tuesday at Yves-du-Manoir
Phillip Roper equalised after Britain trailed early. South African scored again seven minutes before time.
The clock had a minute to run when Ward flicked the third penalty corner for Rupert Shipperley to rescue the point.
‘We are always ready for adversity,’ Shipperley said. ‘We train for moments like that. We know we have many threats from positions like the one we won at the end.’
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Team GB men’s hockey survive scare against South African PART-TIMERS to score late equaliser in Olympic group stage – masked hero Sam Ward leads the late comeback
Source link : https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/olympics/article-13682027/Team-GB-mens-hockey-South-Africa-Olympic-group-stage.html
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Publish date : 2024-07-28 21:32:48
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