Monday, 28 May 2012
GREAT BRITAIN 2 (0)
Ashley Jackson 39, 65 (PC, PC)
ARGENTINA 3 (1)
Enrique Paredes 8, 41 (F, F)
Lucas Heman Cammareri 49 (F)
Despite two goals from East Grinstead’s Ashley Jackson, Great Britain’s men went down 3-2 to Argentina at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in a match that began 20 minutes late following a rain delay.
Against a well organised side, Great Britain struggled to break down the Argentina defence and paid the price for conceding two poor goals in the second half having hauled themselves back into the match through Ashley Jackson’s 39th minute equaliser. Not even the replacement of goalkeeper James Fair for an 11th outfield player with four minutes remaining could salvage a point for GB, who will be without Surbiton forward James Tindall for the remainder of the tournament after he turned his ankle in Sunday’s victory over India. Jonty Clarke, who began on the bench, made his 50th appearance for Great Britain in the match.
A disappointed Head Coach Jason Lee said afterwards, “Quite simply it was an appalling performance. If we play like that in the Olympic Games we will finish in the minor placings.”
Great Britain fell behind to a well struck strike from Enrique Paredes after just eight minutes. Defending a cross from the right, the ball came loose off a British stick and fell perfectly to Paredes, who fired his shot beyond the dive of James Fair in goal.
Great Britain responded by winning a brace of penalty corners but failed to convert them. As the first half wore on, Argentina sat deeper and although Great Britain dominated possession they could not find a way through.
Jackson’s equaliser at the start of the second half could not have come at a better time for GB but no sooner had they levelled than Argentina retook the lead through Paredes’ near post deflection. And eight minutes later it was 3-1 as Lucas Heman Cammareri swept home from the middle of the circle after the ball was cut back to him from the baseline.
With five minutes remaining Jackson netted his and Great Britain’s second goal, this time a low penalty corner, and a minute later Cannock goalkeeper Fair was substituted for an 11th outfield player as GB went in search of a late equaliser. But despite exerting intense pressure on the Argentinean circle in the closing stages Great Britain could not find a third goal and went down to their first defeat of the tournament following a draw with Malaysia and victory over India.
Adding to Jason Lee’s comments, Team Manager Andy Halliday said, “We must not feel sorry for ourselves after this. We need to pick ourselves up and regroup for the game against New Zealand.”
Great Britain’s match against New Zealand, who lead the standings with three victories in three games, is at 11:05am BST on Wednesday.
SULTAN AZLAN SHAH CUP STANDINGS
1 New Zealand (9 pts, 3 played)
2 Argentina (6 pts, 4 played)
3 Korea (4 pt, 4 played)
4 Great Britain (4 pts, 3 played)
5 India (3 pts, 3 played)
6 Pakistan (3 pts, 3 played)
7 Malaysia (2 pts, 2 played)
GREAT BRITAIN MEN’S SQUAD v ARGENTINA
Name (Club) Position Started
James Fair (Cannock) Goalkeeper
Ben Hawes (Wimbledon) Defender/Midfielder
Ashley Jackson (East Grinstead) Midfielder
Glenn Kirkham (East Grinstead) Midfielder
Iain Lewers (East Grinstead) Defender
Barry Middleton (East Grinstead) Midfielder/Forward
Richard Smith (Loughborough Students) Defender
Nick Catlin (Reading) Midfielder/Forward
Dan Fox (Hampstead & Westminster) Defender
Iain Mackay (Reading) Midfielder
Harry Martin (Old Loughtonians) Midfielder
Substitutes
Ali Wilson (Beeston) Defender
Richard Alexander (Surbiton) Defender/Midfielder
Adam Dixon (Beeston) Defender/Midfielder
Rob Moore (Surbiton) Midfielder/Forward
Jonty Clarke (Reading) Forward
Did Not Play
Matt Daly (Surbiton) Forward
James Tindall (Surbiton) Forward
