OLYMPICS LONDON 2012: Men's hockey miss out on bronze medal after Australia defeat

By Phil Jones, Sportsbeat, London 2012

Great Britain were outplayed and denied a bronze medal in the men's hockey at London 2012 by reigning world champions Australia.

DEFEATED: Great Britain's Jonty Clarke makesa desperate stop in Team GB's bronze medal match defeat to Australia

A complete performance from the men in green and gold took them to a 3-1 win over Team GB and secured their second successive Olympic bronze medal.

The two previous encounters between the sides had produced thrilling 3-3 draws, including their Pool A meeting but a tense bronze medal match was never likely to produce the same levels of excitement.

Team GB made a bright start to the match and looked to have shrugged off any negative effects of their 9-2 semi-final drubbing by the Netherlands.

But the match soon changed and settled into a pattern of Australian dominance, resulting from their incessant pressure quick ball movement.

Britain's defence was standing firm though in a way it didn't against the Netherlands, with a solid structure and confidence in the tackle.

On the sole occasion Britain did break they couldn't take advantage - captain Barry Middleton was found by an aerial ball from Ashley Jackson but the skipper was unable to find Jonty Clarke in the circle.

Australia's Jamie Dwyer broke free down the left flank on 17 minutes and fed Simon Orchard at the top of the circle who crashed the ball into the net despite James Fair's best efforts to make the save.

For all of Australia's superiority they only had a 1-0 lead and the home side got back on level terms completely against the run of play.

Youngster Harry Martin drove straight at the heart of the Australian defence to force a penalty corner.

Iain Lewers's deflection from Jackson's pass sent the ball into the net between the near post and the Australian goalkeeper, sending the teams into half time level at 1-1.

The second half followed much the same pattern as the first and British goalkeeper Fair was the busiest player on the pitch.

British defender Alistair Wilson received a yellow card and five minutes in the sin-bin for a high stick, which invited further Australian pressure.

But the British defence stood firm though as penalty corner after penalty corner rained down on their goal before the pressure told and Dwyer tapped in from a penalty corner to make it 2-1 to Australia.

A one goal lead soon became two as the Kookaburras extended their advantage with just 12 minutes to go.

Dwyer made space for himself to take a shot that was well saved by Fair but Kieran Govers was on hand to tap the rebound into an empty net.

Time was now running out for the home side and they pulled their goalkeeper with five minutes remaining to play with eleven outfielders.

It made no difference though and the fans from down under were left cheering as the final whistle blew, celebrating a 3-1 victory and a bronze medal.

© Sportsbeat 2012