Tomorrow’s match against Spain could be make or break time for Great Britain in the Champions Trophy here in Kuala Lumpur. Both sides seem to have found some form late in the tournament and so you’d be hard pressed to find anyone who will predict the outcome of this one. Today’s excellent win against Pakistan elevates GB into fifth place and, with two of the teams ahead of them pitted against each other tomorrow (Thursday), it could elevate Jason’s Lee’s side into a challenge for a bronze medal play-off.
Today was definitely underdogs’ day. Although GB in the guise of England might be expected to win the encounter against Pakistan, it was the margin of the victory which was the surprise. Spain overturned their form in this tournament so far by beating Australia 3-2. The match between a revitalised German side and the Netherlands – you would not think this was the same Germany who looked so dismal in Manchester – was a cracking game, which finished with honours even at 3-3. But the match of the day for me was the encounter between the hosts, Malaysia, and the very fit and technically proficient Koreans. Having hammered the Dutch on Monday, the Koreans found themselves going into the second half against Malaysia 2-1 down. The Koreans drew level towards the end of the second half, but with just over a minute on the clock the Malaysians showed their inexperience at this level. Given a free hit in their own half, they wasted it by not giving the Koreans an opportunity to retreat. The short pass and scoop was was picked up by a Korean forward and popped into the net by Hyo Sik You . Protest as much as they liked, umpire Haider, was having none of it and the goal against Malyasia stood, robbing the hosts of their first win of the competition. Malaysian coach, George Koshy, was sanguine afterwards. “I do not blame the umpire for what happened. With only a few seconds left on the clock my players should have held the ball and waited for their opponents to retreat. They’ll learn.” Watching the replay on Malaysian television later that evening suggests that Koshy was being generous.
Positions at the end of play today:
- Germany 13 pts (+11)
- Korea 10 pts (+5)
- Australia 9 pts (+2)
- Netherlands 8 pts (+2)
- Great Britain 6 pts (-5)
- Spain 5 pts (-4)
- Pakistan 4 pts (-5)
- Malaysia 1 pt (-6)
