Great Britain men’s head coach Bobby Crutchley admits the hard work for Rio starts now after the chance to bid for gold at this year’s World League Semi Final disappeared up in smoke.
Crutchley’s men went into their semi-final encounter with Australia knowing their place at Rio 2016 was already assured.
But they were unable to add the icing to the cake in Antwerp as the Kookaburras inflicted a 3-1 defeat to consign Great Britain to a 3rd/4th place play-off with India on Sunday.
Much was owed to a display of clinical finishing by Australia who were unperturbed by Nick Catlin’s 36th leveller to cancel out Blake Glovers’ opener.
Two minutes later, Daniel Beale restored the Australians’ lead before Jacob Whetton rounded off the win.
A deflection from Eddie Ockenden then rattled the post while Great Britain keeper George Pinner did well to get down and repel a penalty corner from Kieran Govers.
But while disappointed with the defeat, Crutchley was already identifying areas where Great Britain could come back stronger.
“We started the game well which you have to do against them because they always come at you at 100 miles an hour,” he said
“We defended well for the most part but the second and third goals were sloppy which is frustrating when we’d worked so hard to get back level.
“Overall we didn’t create enough and that’s something we need to get better at.
“We’re really pleased with the development of some of our players but we want to compete with sides like Australia and be up there with the best.
“We are aiming to get better and better to give ourselves a chance in Rio. We want to start to win more games, to get on more podiums and to push even further.”
© Sportsbeat 2015