Debacle as GB routed by Spain

Great Britain men’s hockey side went out of medal contention in the Champions Trophy when they were thrashed 8-1 by Spain in their final pool match in Auckland yesterday, and are now consigned to playing for positions five to eight in the tournament.

GB took the lead in 23 minutes. Ashley Jackson’s shot was kept out by Spanish goalkeeper Francisco Cortes but the ball fell to Barry Middleton, whose shot crept over the line off the keeper’s chest. But, within two minutes, the Spanish were 2-1 ahead through Eduard Tubau and Pau Quemada. Santi Freixa and Gabriel Dabanch put Spain 4-1 up before the interval and they added four more after the break. Juan Fernandez made it five, Freixa scored his own second and Roc Oliva added the final two in the closing minutes.

Niall Stott, the lone Scot in Jason Lee’s squad, may consider himself fortunate that he was not selected for the debacle. But there were milestones for two players. Beeston goalkeeper George Pinner was playing his first Champions Trophy match, while Surbiton’s James Tindall won his fiftieth cap.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A disappointed Lee said: “We did well to get ahead and then conceded two of the softest goals you’ll ever see. We were chasing the game from then on. Our skill and execution were very poor.”

Australia, who beat Pakistan 6-1, join Spain in the new medal pool along with Netherlands and hosts New Zealand from the other group.

GB join Pakistan, Germany and Korea in the lower placings competition. They face Germany tomorrow and Korea on Saturday, and top the pool as the 2-1 opening-day result against Pakistan is carried forward.

Related topics: