Hockey: British coach furious at capitulation

Harry Martin of Great Britain takes the ball around David Alegre of Spain. Photo / Getty Images

Spain 8
Great Britain 1

Those who made the trek out to North Harbour Hockey Stadium early for day three of the Champions Trophy bore witness to one of the biggest massacres in the tournament's history.

The first clash between Great Britain and Spain was expected to be a tight duel between two sides gunning to join Australia in the semifinals from their pool.

It ended with a humiliating 8-1 loss for Great Britain.

The seven-goal loss rates up there as the biggest seen at a Champions Trophy. New Zealand unfortunately hold the dubious honour of being on the receiving end of the heaviest loss at the tournament following their 9-1 loss to world number one Australia at last year's tournament. Australia also inflicted the same scoreline on France in 1992.

But Great Britain will take little heart in knowing their loss was not quite of record proportions.

English midfielder Ashley Jackson likened the loss to receiving a kick to the nether-regions.

Great Britain coach Jason Lee was furious with his side's performance, particularly their lack of organisation on defence, which led to a comedy of errors at the back.

The Brits opened the scoring in the 23rd minute after captain Barry Middleton benefited from a fortunate deflection. But two minutes later the Great Britain team were 2-1 down.

"We were 1-nil up and then let in two of the softest goals I think I've ever seen. I think I could have defended better," said Lee in an extraordinary post-match outburst.

By halftime the Spaniards had added two more goals to lead 4-1 at the break, and Great Britain's bid for a top four spot was effectively over. But Lee was extremely disappointed with the way his side allowed the scoreline to blow out even further in the second half.

"The British have a great need for pride, and I think we dented it quite significantly," he said.

Great Britain's poor form at the tournament has come as something of a surprise given the resources that have been poured into the sport ahead of next year's London Olympics.

The team will compete as individual nations at the Olympics, but with the bulk of the team made up of England players their lacklustre showing will be of concern eight months out from the Games.

However Lee made it known before the tournament in Auckland that his side's entire focus was the Olympics and their programme is geared up around this.

While the fortunes of the Great Britain team dwindled, yesterday's stunning 8-1 win continued the resurgence of the Spanish team.

England beat Spain 3-1 at the European Championships earlier in the year, a tournament that Spanish coach Daniel Martin described as the low point of the year. The Spaniards eventually finished sixth at the continental tournament - a huge blow for a team ranked fourth in the world.

Yesterday's dominant victory ensured the Spanish a semifinal spot, putting them on track for a very creditable result.