England picked up their first points in their fourth match of the BDO Champions Challenge in Boom, Belgium beating Japan more convincingly that the score suggests. After struggling through the first half Jason Lee, their coach, delivered a half time verbal rocket, which had the desired effect. Takahiko Yamabori opened the scoring for Japan with a flicked penalty corner in the 10th minute. Richard Mantell equalised in a similar fashion just before half time although Japanese goalkeeper Shunsuke Nagaoka stopped the shot only for the ball to bounce agonisingly over the line. Ironically, it was from a poorly executed penalty corner that England took the lead midway through the second half. The mis-directed injection ended up with Ben Hawes who fed Brett Garrard whose shot rebounded to Matt Daly. Daley’s shot was half saved but eventually forced in by Richard (Ratman) Alexander. England’s lead was short lived - Yoshihiro Anai firing in a penalty corner. Within three minutes England were ahead again when a combination of passes between Barry Middleton and Jonty Clarke led to Clarke cutting along the by-line and flicking the ball into the roof of the net. Rob Moore increased the lead with a reverse stick shot from the edge of the circle, the first such successful shot of the tournament. Yamabori’s reply which came in overtime was too late for Japan. England play Belgium, the host nation on Saturday in their final pool match.
Our picture shows England celebrating Rob Moore's goal.
