GB's women's hockey team salvage draw against Argentina

GB's women's hockey team salvage draw against Argentina

Just as it looked as though the door was closing on Great Britain's hopes of an Olympic semi-final berth, Sarah Thomas and Mel Clewlow booted it ajar again as they rallied from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Argentina.

Great Britain celebrate as they rescue 2-2 draw with Argentina.

Comeback completed: Great Britain celebrate as they rescue 2-2 draw with Argentina. Photo: Getty

World ranked No 2, Argentina, looked to be cruising to victory midway through the second half until a yellow card reduced them to 10 players and the red mist descended.

Britain won two corners in two minutes and converted them both before transforming themselves from a side that had looked dead and buried into a team with purpose and passion.

"We like to tease," joked midfielder Jennie Bimson. "You know you don't get any points for the score at half-time. It's the full-time score that counts."

After being hammered 5-1 by Germany in their opening group match here, Great Britain desperately needed to find some form and some confidence.

It was a long time coming as Argentina went ahead from a 10th-minute corner and then extended their lead in similar fashion 17 minutes later.

However, once Mariana Gonzalez was ensconced in the sin bin, the British revival began when Thomas turned in a rebound following the peppering of the Argentina goal from a penalty corner.

Then, Canterbury's Clewlow celebrated her 250th cap with a piledriver from a set-piece two minutes later.

Having considered retirement following the death of her father 18 months ago, Clewlow delivered the goods even though coach Danny Kerry confirmed the shot was a dipping mishit which was aimed at the other side of the goalkeeper.

At the time, minor details like that hardy mattered.

"When they started rabbiting at the umpires we knew we had a chance," said Clewlow.

"At half-time, Danny asked if we were going to stand up and be counted or just let Argentina trample all over us so this feels pretty good."

Once they were level, Britain looked more organised and more composed even though goalkeeper Beth Storry had to make several decent saves and a tiring defence made rather too many basic errors in the last five minutes.

By this point, however, Argentina were in no shape to capitalise and were left to rue those moments of indiscipline that cost them the victory.

After throwing away a lead against the Americans in their first game, another 2-2 draw leaves Argentina's semi-final prospects in the balance.

Britain, meanwhile, have probably used up their get-out-of-jail-free card but can approach Thursday's game against New Zealand with renewed optimism.

In a very open group, there is everything to play for.