By Annika Breidthardt
LONDON Aug 5 (Reuters) – Britain fought back from 3-0 down
against Australia to earn a 3-3 draw with a goal five minutes
from time in a thrilling men’s Olympic hockey match on Sunday
that left the teams level at the top of Group A.
World hockey champions Australia, on eight points, need at
least a draw on Tuesday against Pakistan, who have seven, to
clinch a semi-final spot.
If Australia unexpectedly lose, Britain, who also have eight
points, would need a draw versus injury-hit Spain later that day
to reach the last four.
In Group B, Netherlands beat reigning champions Germany 3-1
in another action-packed game to clinch a seventh consecutive
top-four Olympic finish, leaving the Germans and South Korea to
fight for the second semi-final spot from the section.
Britain were stunned when Australia struck twice in the
early stages, although both teams had a slew of chances.
The Australians had silenced the home crowd as early as the
seventh minute when Russell Ford finished a run down the
baseline by pushing the ball through keeper James Fair’s legs.
Just four minutes later Ford scored again, slipping a
reverse finish into the net to secure a 2-0 halftime lead.
Australia came out strongly again after the break, with
captain Mark Knowles smashing the ball past Fair from the top of
the circle six minutes into the second half.
Continued…
