(Adds FIH reaction, German injury)
By Annika Breidthardt
LONDON Aug 7 (Reuters) – Britain’s men’s hockey team
reached their first Olympic semi-final in 24 years with a 1-1
draw against Spain in a tense game on Tuesday which was mired in
late controversy.
Spain were awarded two penalty corners in the last two
minutes but the umpires, encircled by British players, changed
their decisions to give the hosts a free hit instead.
At the end, Spain coach Dani Martin stormed onto the pitch
to confront the officials and keep his players from doing so.
He threatened “serious consequences” if the organisers did
not explain the disputed decisions and implied favouritism
towards the hosts, who were cheered on by a 16,000-strong crowd.
Earlier on Tuesday, world champions Australia booked a
semi-final place after sending Pakistan packing with a crushing
7-0 victory that erased doubts about their billing as tournament
favourites following two pool-stage draws.
World number one side Australia will play reigning Olympic
champions Germany on Thursday in a battle between the world’s
top ranked teams, while Britain face the Netherlands, the only
side yet to drop a point, in the other semi-final.
Britain needed a draw to progress while Spain, who lost two
key players to injury at the start of the tournament, had to win
and were perplexed over why the umpires changed their decisions.
Continued…
