Hockey: Britain take time to break down Canada

Great Britain, who 24 hours earlier had beaten the Olympic champions, Germany, 2-1 in Bad Neuheim, yesterday struggled at Bisham Abbey to defeat Canada 2-1 with goals from Nick Thompson and Kalbir Takher, writes Bill Colwill.

Although in command for long periods, Britain showed little imagination in breaking down a Canadian defence in which goalkeeper Maki Mahood and the sweeper, Alan Brahmst, were outstanding. The visitors took the lead against the run of play in the 28th minute when Brahmst, latching on to a block by David Luckes, following Ken Pereira's penalty corner strike, put his team ahead.

A quickly taken free-hit a minute from the interval caught the Canadians off guard, allowing Thompson to score the equaliser. Britain's winner came four minutes into the second half from a free-flowing move started by captain Jason Laslett, involving Chris Mayer and Russell Garcia, before Takher scored.