Hinch the hero as Team GB win hockey shootout

Hockey 02 Aug 21

Great Britain set up a rematch of the Olympic final in Rio after a penalty shootout victory over Spain in the quarter-finals of the women’s hockey.

Twice the Spanish came from behind to draw 2-2 in normal time before Maddie Hinch was the hero in the shootout once again, saving all four while Hannah Martin and Sarah Jones scored the crucial goals for GB.

They will now take on the Netherlands in the semi-finals, looking for a repeat of their memorable success in Deodoro five years ago.

Martin’s fine individual goal had put the Brits in front at Oi Hockey Stadium, against the side they also beat at this stage in Brazil.

Belén Iglesias equalised as the teams went in level at the break, but Grace Balsdon’s lifted shot from a penalty corner put GB back in front.

It looked as though that might be sufficient, but Berta Bonastre levelled once more to take it to a shootout, which GB won 2-0.

"As a keeper, I just think you shouldn't fear them. It's just a chance for you to do your part," said Hinch.

"I didn't fear it today, I felt ready, I felt I'd done my work so I could have let all five in, I could have saved all five, it's just how it goes and it certainly helps when we're putting them in the back of the net as well.

"I'm quietly confident in my ability to do it. But it doesn't always go like that, I just take it one shootout at a time, celebrate each save, get the hype going, it's all important to play into the Spanish heads.

"I'm glad we didn't have any more because I was getting a little tired."

The first quarter was a cagey affair, neither side registering a shot, but that all changed in the second 15 minutes.

After Spain had enjoyed the first chance, it was Martin who notched her fourth goal of the Games, cutting in brilliantly from the right as she dribbled past a pair of defenders before firing home from a tight angle.

The response was immediate, María López García’s shot from a penalty corner deflected home by Iglesias.

That was how it remained until half-time, GB having wasted two opportunities from short corners.

They made it count with their third however, early in the second half, Balsdon’s drag flick flying into the top left corner.

Hinch was called into action with a fine save from Lucía Vicente’s strike but she could do nothing to stop Bonastre’s juggled control and poke home after GB had twice failed to clear their lines with nine minutes remaining.

Martin went desperately close to her second after another mazy run but her shot was deflected onto the post and away by keeper María Ruiz with three minutes to go.

It did not matter in the end though, as Hinch came through for the defending champions.

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