Tokyo Olympics Roundup: GB’s Men

After two spectacular weeks, the Tokyo Olympics have come to a close. It may not have ended with a medal for Great Britain’s men who finished in fifth place, but we’ve taken a look back at how their Olympic campaign unfolded:

Danny Kerry’s side got their Olympic campaign off to a strong start with victory over South Africa. Goals from Sam Ward, Liam Ansell and Jack Waller proved to be the difference as GB’s men triumphed 3-1.

The team made it consecutive 3-1 victories in their following game against Canada as Ansell’s brace of goals and another from Ward sealed a second win at Tokyo.

Germany inflicted a first defeat at Tokyo on the Great Britain side with a clinical performance. Though Phil Roper had opened the scoring for GB, five unanswered goals from Germany ensured they would take the three points.

It was a spirited showing from GB’s men in their following match against The Netherlands. Two goals down heading into the final quarter, a brilliant brace from Ward fired the team back into the match to secure a 2-2 draw and clinch a place in the knockout stages.

The final match of the pool stages saw Great Britain take on reigning world champions Belgium, a side who had recorded four wins from four games heading into the match. A resilient showing saw GB come from behind to draw 2-2 as Rupert Shipperley and Ansell struck. The draw meant the team would finish third in the group with eight points and earn a quarter-final tie against India.

Great Britain’s men’s Tokyo campaign reached its conclusion with defeat to India in the quarter-finals. Trailing 2-0 at half-time, Ward’s goal just after the break got the team back into the game. But as GB pressed on looking for an equaliser, the side were dealt a blow as India got another to secure a 3-1 victory and progression to the semi-finals.