Hockey: Team GB miss out on bronze following defeat to Australia
Great Britain 1 Australia 3
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Great Britain's men finished their Olympic campaign empty-handed after losing the bronze medal play-off against world number ones Australia.
Defensive errors cost them in their own circle while a failure to properly test goalkeeper Nathan Burgers at the other end meant they came up short in their medal quest.
While they could not match the feat of the women in securing a podium place they did at least restore some pride after their 9-2 semi-final battering by Holland.
Australia scored with virtually their first shot on goal and it will not be one James Fair will want to see again.
Simon Orchard's shot from the top of circle was powerful but the goalkeeper got a hand to it yet failed to keep it out.
More confusion in the home defence presented Kieran Govers with two chances to shoot after breaking into right of the D but he fluffed both his attempts.
Six minutes from the interval GB drew level with 19-year-old Harry Martin, who has had a good tournament, driving at the Kookaburras' defence and winning a penalty corner.
Instead of shooting, as is usually his trait, Ashley Jackson slipped the ball back towards its injector and defender Iain Lewers swept home only his second international goal.
Glenn Turner somehow got off a shot while prone on the floor which resulted in a penalty corner late in the half but Chris Ciriello flicked wide.
The Australia forward drew a close-range save from Fair early on after the break while Matt Daly did the same at the other end to Burgers.
GB lost Ali Wilson to the sin-bin for five minutes for preventing Australia breaking through on goal by illegally stopping the aerial pass above his shoulder.
While he was off Australia re-took the lead when Govers' deflected penalty corner found Jamie Dwyer and although Fair saved his first shot he could not keep out the rebound.
Fair came to his side's rescue again with a reaction save to palm away Russell Ford's snap-shot but when he could only bat Dwyer's shot into the air Govers volleyed home a third from close range.
GB withdrew Fair with five minutes to go to put on an extra outfield player but despite it giving them almost total domination of possession they could not fashion a breakthrough.
PA
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments