- The British team was almost left behind by the South African players ranked 13th in the world.
- Rupert Shipperley’s late goal from a penalty corner saved a 2-2 draw
- Paul Revington’s all-out attacking side now take on world number ones Holland.
Sam Ward has experienced enough adversity—losing in the final minutes of an Olympic group game—to not be afraid.
He plays with a mask because of the injury he suffered in a penalty corner against Malaysia six years ago, which shattered his eye socket.
It was he who propelled the team to the final sequence of three penalty corners that resulted in a late equaliser against a South African team comprised mainly of part-time players who have made collective contributions to being here.
Britain’s struggle to stay on the scoreboard (they twice trailed) was a reflection of South Africa’s mischief rather than the failings of a team ranked second in the world and hungry to end a 36-year medal drought.
It was a fast-paced match that lived up to British coach Ben Revington’s philosophy of attacking with all his might.
Striker Sam Ward has worn a protective mask since his eye socket was smashed by a ball in a penalty corner against Malaysia six years ago and helped lead the British team’s late comeback.
A late goal from Rupert Shipperley, set up by Sam Ward from a penalty corner, salvaged a 2-2 draw
Team GB will be hoping to emulate the heroes of Seoul 1988, when the men’s team won gold.
South Africa is ranked 13th in the world but gave second-placed Britain a scare.
But the team, ranked 13th, had a relentless drive of their own, which is why they led the exciting match against the Dutch on Saturday.
The next challenge will be the most telling of whether Revington’s attacking and favoured team can emulate the British heroes of Seoul in 1988, who won gold.
The Dutch, the world number one team who Great Britain face on Tuesday, were making a statement against hosts France as Revington’s players battled for their place in the draw.
Jip Janssen, who creates just as much danger from penalty corners as Ward, is a player the British team will have to be prepared for.
Floris Middendorp and Thijs van Dam are too, according to this evidence. The Dutch mean business.
Their men’s and women’s teams never shake hands, they just fist bump.
Last night’s comeback will strengthen Great Britain, despite a day in which the women’s team began with a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Spain.
Coach Ben Revington has been compared to Pep Guadiola and his all-out attacking approach almost failed against the lower-ranked South African side.
Great Britain will face the world number one team, the Netherlands, in Yves-du-Manoir on Tuesday.
Phillip Roper equalised after Great Britain had trailed early in the match, with South Africa scoring again seven minutes from time.
The clock had not yet run a minute when Ward delivered the third penalty corner for Rupert Shipperley to rescue the point.
“We’re always prepared for adversity,” Shipperley said. “We train for moments like that. We know we have a lot of threats from positions like the one we won at the end.”
