(Adds later matches)
By Annika Breidthardt
LONDON Aug 4 (Reuters) – Britain’s Kate Walsh returned to
play on Saturday just six days after breaking her jaw, but even
the skipper’s comeback could not save her team from a surprise
2-1 defeat against China that dealt a blow to the host’s Olympic
hopes.
Britain, who had won their first three matches, now need at
least a draw in their last group-stage match against the
Netherlands, who have already secured a berth in the semifinals.
With a slew of unforced errors and little determination in
attack, Britain found it hard to penetrate China’s defence, and
six minutes before half time Walsh and fellow corner-specialist
Crista Cullen wasted four consecutive penalty corners.
While at the break it still looked as though Britain’s worst
performance so far might have been enough against a Chinese side
showing little ambition in attack, China came back stronger from
the interlude and were clinical on set pieces.
Two goals from penalty corners, one by Fu Baorong in the
41st minute and one deflected into goal from short range by Zhao
Yudiao, put China well in the lead with 24 minutes to go.
Just over a minute before the end, Britain reduced the lead
with a penalty corner flick from Cullen that the strong Chinese
goalkeeper Zhang Yimeng got her hands on but could not save.
“We know we can play a lot better. Ball retention was pretty
poor for us today,” said Walsh, who played with protective
strapping on her face after having a titanium plate inserted
into her jaw on Monday and only leaving hospital on Wednesday.
Continued…
