Wimbledon hockey star Ben Hawes has revealed that sticking to an attacking game plan was the secret behind Great Britain's spectacular Olympic fight back against Australia.
Great Britain were trailing 3-0 with 30 minutes remaining but goals from Jonty Clarke, Barry Middleton and Surbiton’s James Tindall completed a remarkable comeback and means Great Britain only need a point against Spain tomorrow (Tuesday) to reach the semi-finals.
Hawes said: “We said before the match that the only way we’re going to get a result is to start on the front foot and hit them as hard as they hit us, and apart from a few lapses in concentration in the first half we had a bit of success when we got at them.
“At half-time the dressing room was calm but we stuck to our attacking game plan and proved they are vulnerable at the back as much as they are brilliant on the break. But when we had a go at them, we proved our attacking options are as good as anyone else in the world.”
He added: “It’s an easy cliché but at 3-0 down, the scoreline didn’t really cross our minds. The fact that we believed in our game plan and stuck to it is testament to us as a team and a big step forward. In the past we might have been guilty of getting behind in a game and trying to change things and relying on individuals.
“Although we conceded three goals while sticking to the plan in the first half, we still believed in it and the Australians definitely started to tire. There is no doubt we are one of the fittest sides in the world and when it comes to the business end of this tournament we’ll still be running teams off the pitch.”
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