GB men prepare for showdown with defending champions

HOCKEY star Alastair Wilson insists Team GB still have plenty to play for against defending champions Australia on Tuesday - despite their hopes of qualification hanging by a thread.

Wilson and co. stumbled to a 1-1 draw with pointless Canada on Sunday meaning Pakistan need to beat Holland and GB must find a way to get the better of the 2004 gold medallists if they are to reach the semi finals.

And despite the task facing GB in their final Pool B fixture the 24-year-old is adamant it is not mission impossible and the players should be targeting a big finish to their campaign against the best team in the world.

 

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"We have a big game now against Australia it is just a matter of getting out there and playing our game and getting a positive result," said Wilson.

"It will be a huge game - it is the Olympics and Australia - they are a tough side they are Olympic champions so they are very strong and we will be looking to play our game and really get at them.

"It is not completely over but and a win against the Australians maybe enough if results go our way."

Team GB will have their work cut out to derail the Australian juggernaut, with the men from Down Under topping the table with three wins and a draw - racking up 21 goals in the process.

But Wilson is adamant GB have more gears to move through as they bid to get a first win over the old enemy since the Seoul Games in1988.

 

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"We were disappointed with the display against Canada and can play much better," he added.

"We should get three points against a team like Canada, it is difficult to say what went wrong I just think we didn't take the game on enough and maybe just expected to win without actually going out and doing that.

"That won't be the case against Australia we will be switched on and will put in a better performance."

MATTHEW DAVIS in Beijing