Courageous fight-back by GB against Australia

GREAT BRITAIN 3  AUSTRALIA 3 
(MEN)

Great Britain men looked dead and buried at 3-0 down to
world number one Australia in the penultimate pool match at the
Riverside Arena, but a valiant fight-back brought the final score
to 3-3, a result that keeps GB`s hopes of a medal very much
alive.
  

A win against Spain in the final group  match tomorrow
would secure Jason Lee`s charges a place in the semi-finals.

The first half belonged completely to Australia, their cause
helped by some poor defending by GB which gave away two soft goals
early in the game, on both occasions Russell Ford was allowed to
put the ball easily past keeper James Fair.   It was
Australia who totally controlled the play and could have been
further ahead, GB`s only chance came from a penalty corner by
Ashley Jackson which was blocked by the Aussie keeper.

It looked curtains for GB when Mark Knowles took advantage of
poor defending to put the Aussies three up, but it proved to be the
signal for a courageous come-back.   Jonty Clarke
meandered along the by-line and his attempted cross went in off a
defender for the first.  It then became 3-2 when Richard
Smith`s set piece shot was deflected home by captain Barry
Middleton. 

Australia were now reeling under constant GB pressure and the
equaliser came four minutes from time with a snap shot from James
Tindall which eluded the keeper at the far post.

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