GB beat Pakistan to book hockey semi-final spot
Wednesday 1 July 2015 17:34, UK
Great Britain narrowly beat Pakistan 2-1 to set up a World Hockey League semi-final against number one-ranked side Australia.
East Grinstead's Chris Griffiths got GB off to a decent start with a reverse-stick shot that flew over the head of goalkeeper Imran Butt and went in via the crossbar.
Wimbledon's Alastair Brodgon then made it it 2-0 with nine minutes gone when he deflected Ashley Jackson's upright reverse-stick effort into the net.
Muhammad Bhutta (48) pulled one back for Pakistan when he lifted his own rebounded shot over goalkeeper George Pinner, but despite losing Henry Weir to a five-minute suspension late in the game GB managed to hang on.
Earlier, world champions Australia trounced Ireland 4-1 in Antwerp to book their place in the semi-finals with goals from Matt Gohdes, Jamie Dwyer, Simon Orchard and Blake Govers.
Shane O'Donoghue grabbed Ireland's only goal and the Green Machine will now face Pakistan in the play-off's on Friday with a place at the 2016 Olympics at stake.
