Hockey: Late surge foiled as GB sign off with narrow defeat in Auckland

Despite being ranked three places lower than their German opponents, who went into the tournament second in the world rankings, Great Britain controlled the game for large periods, but Thilo Stralkowski’s penalty corner five minutes before half-time was decisive.

Great Britain began well, winning an early penalty corner for a foul on teenager Harry Martin, before seeing out a period of play with nine players as Surbiton’s Rob Moore was green carded, quickly followed by a yellow card for Reading’s Simon Mantell.

Nicolas Jacobi in the Germany goal thwarted a well-worked Great Britain penalty corner midway through the first half, while East Grinstead’s Ashley Jackson and Surbiton’s James Tindall came close shortly after, before Stralkowski’s sucker punch. On the half-hour mark, Florian Fuchs won a penalty corner off the foot of Ken Forbes, and 24-year-old Stralkowski converted low to goalkeeper James Fair’s left.

Early in the second half, Great Britain lost their right to video referral following a hotly-contested penalty corner appeal, with captain Barry Middleton convinced the ball had risen up into the foot of a Germany defender.

The second half offered little in the way of clear-cut chances for either side. With the clock ticking down, Fair was substituted and Great Britain moved to 11 outfield players as they pressed for an equaliser.

It almost paid off when, in the final minute, Tindall swivelled on the penalty shot and unleashed a low strike that Jacobi saved well at close range. Crucially, Germany cleared the danger to hold out for the victory and fifth place, meaning Great Britain finish sixth.

The Champions Trophy is the last world ranking event ahead of the London 2012 Olympic Games. The top five teams at the 2011 Champions Trophy – Australia, Spain, New Zealand, Netherlands and Germany – qualify for the 2012 edition, which will be played in Australia. Other participants at the 2012 Champions Trophy are yet to be determined.