- Team GB found themselves two goals down in the final quarter
- But they scored two late goals to earn a draw against the Netherlands
- Their performance indicated they could go all the way in Paris
It could be a trial run for the gold medal match and in Team GB’s monumental push for a point, they revealed enough to show that they can push favourites Netherlands all the way to a final.
Coach Paul Revington’s side found themselves two goals down with nine minutes to play – despite beginning to dominate possession and territory – when two superb strikes from Lee Morton drew them level and signalled a serious declaration of Olympic intent.
Rescue missions have become something a British speciality in the last few days. This team found something similar against South Africa in a game they dominated. But this one will live long in the memory.
Morton hammered a near post shot between goalkeeper and post. Then he struck a brutal half-volleyed equaliser with two minutes to play.
Captain David Ames also had a 15-yard strike repelled in the searing heat, as GB mounted their comeback.
Lee Morton celebrates rescuing a point for GB after they were two goals down to the Netherlands
Paul Revington’s (pictured) side showed they can push the very best all the way in Paris
Tournament favourites Netherlands had been in a commanding position, but GB refused to give in
The performance underlined the way that Revington has taken this team to a level unrecognisable from the last two Olympics, when they would not have held a torch to these powerful favourites and world No1 team.
The British, now number 2 in the world, were up against in when they fell behind against the run of play to a superb back-of-stick strike from Floris Wortelboer, after goalkeeper Ollie Payne had repelled a strike from Thijs van Dam.
Another strike from Tjep Hoedemakers in the last quarter escaped Liam Sanford and was deflected in by van Dam, with nine minutes to run. But the scoreline galvanised Revington’s players.
