Great Britain Squad drew against Australia’s Hockeyroos 1-1 at Altwood Church of England School in Maidenhead on Friday June 18.
Australia took the lead after 21 minutes, when 24-year-old midfielder Madonna Blyth bagged her 39th international goal in 153.
Shortly after half time GB levelled, with a penalty corner from Leicester’s 24-year-old defender Crista Cullen.
The visitors were struggling to cope as GB gave as good as they got, both in terms of physicality and hockey skills. GB pushed on and were awarded seven or eight penalty corners which could’ve given them the lead, but the scoreline remained unchanged from 1-1.
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Head Coach Danny Kerry kept just four players in the starting line-up from Wednesday’s first match, when GB lost 4-0 to Australia.
“We’ve used 26 players throughout these games, just trying to broaden the squad’s experience. We made several changes to the team from the first game, but not in response to anything they did wrong. We’re just trying to give as many players as possible more game time” He said.
Kerry also praised GB’s comeback from their loss on Wednesday. “It was a much-improved performance. There was more toughness from everyone in the squad, but the problem is it doesn’t come naturally to us. In the second half our technical ability was great, we generated many more opportunities.”
Great Britain will now focus on the Samsung Champions Trophy in Nottingham from July 10-18, and their opening day clash with Argentina.
Chloe Hibbert, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine
