Bronze medal match awaits Engand
2nd August 2014
AUSTRALIA 4 (2)
Tristan White 3 (PC)
Simon Orchard 11 (FG)
Chris Ciriello 61 (PC)
Eddie Ockenden 69 (FG)
ENGLAND 1 (0)
Harry Martin 51 (FG)
England men were unable to overhaul world champions Australia in their Commonwealth Games semi-final this morning, going down 4-1 at Glasgow National Hockey Centre.
To watch highlights from the match, click here to go to the BBC Sport website.
Australia took an early lead through Tristan White as he swept home from a well-rehearsed penalty corner through the legs of George Pinner after three minutes. The world number one side doubled their advantage on 11 minutes when Simon Orchard’s superb reverse-stick shot found the bottom corner. Matt Ghodes then forced a good stop from Pinner having rounded Michael Hoare, while Harry Martin had England’s first opening shortly afterwards but was denied by Kookaburras keeper Andrew Charter.
England dug in and after half-time and got one back on 51 minutes when David Condon got to the by-line and found Martin with his cutback, the midfielder scoring from a yard out. Simon Mantell was then denied by Charter as England were in the ascendency, but a Chris Ciriello strike from another penalty corner helped Australia restore their two-goal advantage with ten minutes to go.
England went for broke, bringing off Pinner for another outfield player - Dan Fox taking the bib to play kicking back - but Eddie Ockenden capitalised on an open goal in the final minute to seal the 4-1 win.
The Defeat means England will contest the bronze medal match on Sunday morning against either New Zealand or India.
Barry Middleton, England captain, Holcombe, midfield
On the defeat: “We started slower, slower than what we wanted and they started fast but we know that is what they do and if we can keep it close we could get back into it. We were just a bit passive in the first half and let them come at us. We were upset with the goals we conceded but there were others they could have scored so 2-0 was a fair reflection. In the second half we had the momentum, but they got their third at a good time for them and it was too much to come back.”
On the bronze medal match: “We have come here to win things, now we can’t win the whole thing so you reassess and say we need to win the bronze medal. I think it’s pretty simple now, some games you find are hard to pick yourself up for but I think there have been a lot tougher games to get myself up for than a bronze medal.”
Henry Weir, Wimbledon, defender
On the defeat: “I think 4-1 flattered them a little bit, we are definitely not that far off them. We conceded a few goals early on but other than that we stuck to the game plan well, we knew we would get chances towards the end and unfortunately we didn’t get that second one. We had to push in the last 20 minutes and that went against us. I think on another day we might have got that equaliser, they play a style of hockey not many teams do, but we stuck with them.”
Bobby Crutchley, England Head Coach
On the game: “In the first half we were a bit off it for too long and then in the second half we started to get ourselves up for the fight which is what we needed to do. Then it showed that we could actually compete and we put them under a bit of pressure but we needed to continue that as they came back at us and showed why they are such a good side. The problem is you have to play well against them throughout the whole game, they are a top side and are clinical if you give them a sniff. We have to be pleased with some of our play but ultimately we don’t want to run them close, we want to beat them.”
On the bronze medal match: “It is a game to win a medal now and the guys know that. They know the success or failure of this tournament will be based around whether we can get a medal or not.”