Argentina too good
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ByEurosport
Updated 08/08/2012 at 22:54 GMT
Britain women's hockey captain Kate Walsh was emotional after her side’s dreams of London 2012 gold were dashed as they fell to defeat against Argentina in the Olympic semi-finals.
Argentina's Luciana Aymar (C) controls the ball between Great Britain's Laura Bartlett (L) and Georgie Twigg during their women's semifinal hockey match at the Riverbank Arena at the London 2012 Olympic Games August 8, 2012
Image credit: Reuters
It was an unhappy tale for the hosts at the Riverbank Arena as goals from Noel Barrionuevo and Carla Rebecchi saw the world’s No. 2 ranked side run out deserved 2-1 winners.
Alex Danson handed the hosts a late lifeline with five minutes remaining but it proved only a consolation, much to the disappointment of the partisan home crowd.
And Walsh, who played with a titanium plate in her jaw after suffering injury in the opening game of the tournament, was tearful as she admitted her side gave everything only to come up tantalisingly short.
“I’m very proud of the girls, I think that was one of the best performances we’ve put in this tournament and one of the best performances we’ve put in against Argentina,” she said.
“They are reigning world champions and an outstanding side but I think we matched them and I think we had enough possession to get those goals back.
“We believed every last second and I honestly thought we would get that equalising goal but it just wasn’t to be.
“For us it was just about the win, it could have been any team, we just wanted to go out there and get the win.
“I think there were spells in the first half where we had enough possession and we broke them down and in the second half we just pressed up a bit more and I think we really scared them and put them under pressure.
“They turned a lot of ball over and even (Luciana) Aymar – the best player in the world – we were taking the ball off her and we had some really good attacks. We just weren’t able force another corner and get that equaliser.
“I’m so very proud of every single one of them. We are a squad of 28 and I’m proud of the ones who aren’t here.
“We came in with a squad mentality and we’re going to into the last game with every bit of fight that we have got – we are not going home empty handed.”
Danny Kerry’s side will now face New Zealand, who lost out to defending champions the Netherlands earlier today, in a bid to claim Team GB’s first hockey medal in 20 years.
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