Hockey: Giles treble inspires England onslaught

England 7 Japan

THREE GOALS by Calum Giles helped England to a convincing victory against Japan at Havant College yesterday, though they had to work harder than the scoreline suggests.

Japan took the lead in the 13th minute when Takahiko Yamabori was crudely fouled after rounding England's goalkeeper Simon Mason and he recovered to score himself from the penalty stroke.

But England, having made little impression on the Japanese defence in the first 20 minutes, responded by scoring three times in 12 minutes. Giles equalised with his trademark dragged flick at a penalty corner and a perceptive pass by Duncan Woods enabled Jimmy Wallis to put England into the lead. Then a well executed advantage by the umpire, Tony Kelleher, led to England's third goal on the stroke of half-time. A lofted clearance straight at David Matthews' midriff was well controlled and Matthews, who was winning his first cap, strode purposefully into the circle and finished forcefully.

Matthews added another 14 minutes into the second half when a horrendous mix-up in the Japanese defence allowed him to sneak in at the far post. With England increasingly committing themselves to attack, Japan struck back on the break with Kotaro Twayam producing a glorious deflection off a pass from Naohiko Tobita to give Mason no chance.

Saving the best for last, England went into overdrive. Giles flicking another penalty corner goal. Danny Hall, who chased tirelessly to good effect, scored the sixth with a clinical finish from the edge of the circle and Giles converted a penalty stroke two minutes from time.

This was England's first victory against Japan, who finished fourth in the Asian Games, but had just lost three training matches against the Great Britain development squad. Two matches against the Netherlands next weekend should provide a sterner test.

ENGLAND: S Mason, T Bertram, J Wyatt, B Barnes, B Garrard, W Waugh (captain), S Head, D Woods, D Hall, J Wallis, M Pearn. Subs used: C Giles, M Kochar, D Matthews, R Todd.