Team GB and Ashley Jackson (left) celebrate a goal against Australia
Picture: Ady Kerry/GB Hockey

by Alex Hoad

Ashley Jackson helped inspire a superb fightback from Great Britain’s hockey side boost their chances of a place in the Olympic semi-finals.

Two goals in the opening 11 minutes gave GB a mountain to climb at the Riverbank Arena, and matters got worse with an Australian third five minutes into the second half.

Jackson (pictured) was singled out for close attention by the Kookaburras, generally being tightly marked, but he played a part in an astonishing comeback.

Five minutes after Jonty Clarke had given GB a lifeline to make it 3-1, Jackson saw a trademark penalty corner drag-flick high down the middle saved by Australian keeper Nathan Burgers.

Burgers parried the ball into the air which led to a second penalty corner, which was deflected in by skipper Barry Middleton at the back post after an initial strike by Richard Smith.

The goal set-up a tense finale and with the home crowd roaring them on, James Tindall eventually snatched an equaliser just four minutes from time.

It means Australia and GB are level atop Group A with eight points, and means that GB need just a point from their game against Spain on Tuesday (7pm) to secure a last-four place, with a win for Pakistan over Australia that morning meaning GB could go through as group-winners with a win, and avoid the dangerous Netherlands in the semi-finals, which take place on Thursday.

After the game, Jackson said on twitter: “Well that’s the second time the partisan crowd has helped to save us a point. They will be needed again. Now for not much sleep before Tuesday.”