GB held in opener
Great Britain's men squandered a two-goal lead in their opening match of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup.
Last Updated: 25/05/12 2:24pm
Great Britain's men squandered a two-goal lead in their opening match of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup as hosts Malaysia struck twice in the last three minutes, securing a 3-3 draw.
Jason Lee's side were well worth their 3-1 half-time score-line and looked like holding on for three points in the six-team tournament only to have their resolve broken late on.
Glen Kirkham, the East Grinstead midfielder, scored a fifth-minute opener but it was quickly cancelled out by Azlan Mizron from a penalty corner routine.
The GB side were in a commanding position, with two goals in five minutes. First Ashley Jackson scored his 70th goal in 127 international appearances, and then Surbiton's Rob Moore struck.
Heat
Captain Barry Middleton beat the goalkeeper but not the bar with a clever chip in the second half but as GB tired in the hot conditions, Faisal Saari scored twice to level the scores.
Lee said: "We're pleased with how we played in the first half and we had enough chances in the 15 minutes after half-time to put the game beyond Malaysia.
"But as expected in the dying minutes the heat became a factor and in the end the game was five minutes too long for us."
GB now face India, whom they beat twice in the Olympic test event earlier this month, on Sunday.
