Paralympic Games: Craig Connell limps off as Britain lose in football

By GERARD MEAGHER
Published on 08/09/2012 02:11

GOALKEEPER Craig Connell saw insult added to injury as Great Britain’s seven-a-side football team suffered a heart-wrenching extra-time defeat to Argentina at London 2012, ensuring they must now beat the USA to avoid the wooden spoon.

The 23-year-old from Glasgow limped off after a heavy collision with an Argentine forward early in the second-half with the score tied at 2-2. But, in his absence and despite the best efforts of fellow Scots Blair Glynn, James Richmond and Jonny Paterson, who impressed from the bench, Great Britain slipped to a 4-2 
defeat.

Great Britain looked well on course to book their place in the fifth-place classification match after easing into a two-goal lead in the first half – Ibz Diallo putting the host nation on their way after 14 minutes before Matt Dimbylow chipped in with a fine effort on 27.

Argentina pulled a goal back just before half-time through Rodrigo Lugrin, however, and they found themselves level on 40 minutes when Brian Vivot got himself on the scoresheet.

Great Britain dominated possession for the rest of the half but couldn’t open up the Argentine defence and, while extra-time followed a similar pattern, Vivot caught Great Britain with a sucker punch on 69 minutes, firing past substitute goalkeeper Bill Thompson.

Roared on by a packed Riverside Arena, Great Britain pushed for a leveller but Vivot completed his hat-trick on the break and while substitute Alistair Patrick-Helselton volleyed home to give hope of a dramatic comeback, Argentina clung on for a 4-3 win.

Now Great Britain face the USA tomorrow, having already beaten them 4-0 in the pool stages, and captain Dimbylow was quick to stress the importance of victory.

“It’s just a feeling of disappointment, we just let ourselves down by not following the game plan. We were 2-0 up but we let them back in with our own mistakes and that’s been a bit of a theme throughout the games,” said Dimbylow. “We just didn’t play, full stop, exclamation mark!

“On Sunday we have to go out there and make sure we beat the USA again.

“We’ve got the punishment by being up early on Sunday morning.

“We don’t want to finish 
bottom, we want to go out there with a win and hopefully that will encourage more players to play the sport.”