Tokyo 2020 - Sam Ward nets twice to earn Team GB a draw with Netherlands and safe passage to hockey knockout stages
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ByEurosport
Published 29/07/2021 at 05:13 GMT
Great Britain trailed 2-0 in the final quarter and their qualification hopes were hanging in the balance, but Sam Ward scored twice to salvage a draw which was secured when the team fended off a penalty corner in the dying seconds of the match. You want it? We have it. Stream every Olympic event live on discovery+.
Sam Ward of Team Gb celebrates scoring goal vs Netherlands, Oi Hockey Stadium on July 29, 2021
Image credit: Getty Images
Team GB men's team produced a brilliant comeback in the fourth quarter to earn a 2-2 draw with Netherlands and book their place in the knockout stages of the Olympic hockey tournament.
GB trailed 2-0 at one stage and with Germany suffering a shock loss to South Africa, a defeat would have left their qualification hopes in the balance.
But a spirited fightback and brilliant rearguard action in the final 60 seconds secured a point and their place in the next phase.
Britain made a bright start and put the Dutch under pressure, but they could not make the breakthrough and fell behind to a sublime team goal on 22 minutes.
A long pass was taken down superbly by Jonas de Geus, and he traded passes before playing the ball into the path of Thierry Brinkman to slot home.
Britain needed a good start to the second half, but got the opposite as Ian Sloan conceded a penalty corner for a deliberate knock off and Jip Janssen powered home - albeit Ward could have done better on the line.
Oliver Payne made a brilliant double save from a penalty corner to keep GB in the hunt in the fourth quarter, and Ward gave them hope when turning in Thomas Sorsby’s backhand shot on 52 minutes.
GB won a penalty corner on 57 minutes and Ward found the target to draw his side level.
There was one final bit of drama, as Netherlands won a penalty corner in the final minute. They had four bites, but Payne and his defence held firm to secure qualification before their final pool game against world number two Belgium.
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