A late equaliser from Australia ensured the British men’s hockey team today earned a creditable 3-3 draw with the Olympic champions, but it still wasn’t enough to keep them in contention for a medal in Beijing.

The result means Britain finished third in their group, the same position that their female counterparts earned yesterday (Mon).  They will play Korea on Saturday in the 5/6th place play-off.

Barry Middleton put team GB in the lead a minute before half-time, but the Aussies rallied and scored two goals early in the second half.  Britain equalised shortly after, in a hectic period of play, through Richard Mantell, making the score 2-2.

After taking the lead through Rob Moore, bringing the score up to 3-2, the Brits had to absorb wave after wave of Aussie pressure, finally succumbing two minutes from team.

Despite conceding three goals, Scotland’s Ali McGregor kept the Brits in the match at several points with another fine goalkeeping display.

After the game McGregor said: “We can take some pride with how we played.  To come out here and get a draw from Australia is very pleasing.  They are a team that is always hard to beat so we have to be pleased with that result.”

Australia and the Netherlands qualified for the semi-finals ahead of GB, where they will meet Spain and the Netherlands respectively.