Hockey World League: Great Britain need win over China to boost qualification hopes
Thursday 25 June 2015 18:05, UK
Great Britain’s men can keep their qualification bid on course with a win over China in Thursday’s Pool B clash at the World League semi-final.
Bobby Crutchley’s team are sitting in third place in the table, behind leaders Belgium and Malaysia, with the top four progressing to next month’s quarter-final.
But Great Britain are yet to pick up a win in the competition after being held to a 2-2 draw by Ireland on Tuesday in Antwerp.
Early goals from Barry Middleton and Chris Griffiths opened a commanding lead after just 10 minutes, but Ireland earned a draw with strikes from Kyle Good and John Jackson.
Great Britain had also been held to a 2-2 draw by Belgium in their opening fixture and Crutchley has demanded improvement from his side, who can book a place at next year’s Rio 2016 Olympics if they finish among the top three teams in the tournament.
“We have China next, who are a totally different challenge,” said Crutchley. “They’re another team whose world ranking perhaps doesn’t do them justice.
“We’re in reasonable shape as a group and we’ll look forward to that game and hopefully putting today behind us.”
Watch Great Britain v China in the World Hockey League live on Sky Sports 1 HD at 3pm on Thursday.
