Surbiton Hockey Club’s James Tindall capped a stunning Great Britain fightback to steal a point off the Australians in a dramatic 3-3 draw in the Riverbank Arena.
Great Britain, with Wimbledon’s Ben Hawes and Matt Daly and Rob Moore from Surbiton, were 3-0 to a dominant Australian side with 30 minutes to go.
Then Jonty Clarke’s cross with deflected into the net off a melee of Australian defenders before GB skipper Barry Middleton finished off a well-worked penalty corner for 3-2.
TIndalll struck the crucial equaliser with five minutes to go. He said: “Clarkey got the ball to me in the box, that’s where I want it. I got the shot away and it got a deflection and it was great to see it go in.
“I’m a Chelsea season ticket holder and have been in some great atmospheres – but the reaction of the crowd tonight topped anything I have ever known.”
Great Britain face Spain in the final group match on Tuesday needing only a point to go into the semi-finals.
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