London 2012 Olympics: GB hockey team show mettle after leaking goals

Published on 01/08/2012 02:38

Great Britain’s women proved they have character to add to their silky skills as they recovered from the crushing blow of conceding a two-goal second-half lead to South Korea to register their second win of the tournament, eventually prevailing 5-3.

The hosts struggled without the services of captain and most experienced player Kate Walsh, who watched the match from her hospital bed as she recovers from a broken jaw.

Aside from leaking goals from a leading position, the sight of striker Alex Danson being carried off on a stretcher with an ankle injury was the last thing GB wanted, having seen Walsh receive a stick in the face on Sunday.

A brilliant run from Nic White out on the right brought the first goal in the sixth minute. But midway through the half Korea levelled through Kim Darae. Ten minutes before half-time GB restored their lead when Crista Cullen produced a low penalty corner flick.

Within three minutes of the second half starting GB had extended their lead through Danson.

From that point it began to unravel somewhat as Han Hye-lyoung fired a penalty corner move through Beth Storry’s legs and then a long pass from the inside-left picked out the unmarked Park Mi-hyun to deflect in at the far post.

But after hours and hours with the psychologist this team is made of sterner stuff and they bounced back with two goals in quick succession, from Georgie Twigg and Chloe Rogers.