Hockey: Britain squander their chances

Great Britain lost for the second time in the 16th PIA Champions Trophy yesterday, going down 1-0 to the Olympic champions, Germany, in a game in which for long periods they showed greater initiative only to be let down by woeful finishing, writes Brian Tatlock from Lahore. Britain almost brought Germany back to earth after their fine win against the defending champions Australia in their opening match, denying them a goal until 54 minutes into the game, when Freddie Ness converted a somewhat dubiously awarded penalty stroke. Britain were off to a bright start,f orcing four penalty corners inside the opening four minutes but their corner drill, like their finishing, was poor. Although the Germans forced a couple of corners, Simon Mason in the British goal was not troubled and with the Teddington pair of Jason Laslett and Phil McGuire showing promising form, Britain were quickly back in control with the German pattern of play looking very ragged. After Britain had squandered a couple of early second-half chances in a short period of German pressure, Russell Garcia was alleged to have pushed the German substitute Dirk Dorslinger to concede the stroke. Ness gave Mason no chance from the spot.

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