5th May 2017: Great Britain have booked their place in the Azlan Shah Trophy Final after a thrilling final-game victory against New Zealand.
GB’s final spot was confirmed when hosts Malaysia pulled off a 1-0 win over India, following Great Britain’s 3-2 win over the Black Sticks earlier in the day.
The final against Australia will take place at 1.35pm UK time on Saturday, and is a marked achievement for Bobby Crutchley’s British side, coming 23 years after England reached the final of this prestigious event.
Sam Ward gave GB a first quarter lead before Dominic Newman levelled for the Black Sticks. Strikes from Phil Roper and Mark Gleghorne put GB into a deserved lead but a late strike from Kane Russell made for a tense finale.
After the game head coach Bobby Crutchley said: “It was a very good performance in stifling heat. I felt we dominated the game.
“If we had a better conversion rate from the chances we created, the scoreline would have been more comfortable.”
Scotland’s Alan Forsyth is among the tournament’s top scorers with three goals to his name, while Dan Kyriakides became the first Welshman to line up for GB in recent years.
Six players have made their Great Britain debuts during this event; England’s Brendan Creed, James Gall, David Goodfield, Jonty Griffiths and Liam Sanford, plus Wales’ Kyriakides.
Many congratulations to all of the GB team from the European hockey family!
The Final vs Australia on Saturday at 1:35pm UK time