Great Britain’s men’s hockey coach Bobby Crutchley has stressed Sunday’s 5-2 win over Australia will count for nothing if they do not back it up in their remaining World Hockey League Final matches.
Goals from Henry Weir, Chris Grassick and Ian Sloan saw Great Britain lead 3-1 at half-time and further strikes from David Condon and Phil Roper made it two wins from two in Raipur.
Australia are the world’s number one team and the victory means Great Britain now top Pool A, three points ahead of their opponents and Belgium.
Crutchley was delighted with the victory but he did stress his players will not be allowed to get carried away by their fine start to the competition.
“We’re delighted with the result,” he said.
“Some of the players really stepped up today and showed what they can do, but this is only one game and we need to back it up with a performance in the next game, too.
“Some of our deep defence and goalkeeping was outstanding. We would have liked to play further forward and more attacking but we countered well and scored some good goals, so I’m very happy with that.
“It was a tough physical battle as you expect when you face Australia but we did well to come through it.
“We’ve always said the best teams have 25 players capable of playing in these games and we want to build that sort of squad size for ourselves.
“Today was a step in the right direction but we aren’t getting carried away. We’ll gain confidence from this of course, but Belgium next is a tough game and a completely different style and different test to today.
“We’ll enjoy today but it won’t mean anything if we don’t back it up with more quality performances in the upcoming games.”
Weir opened the scoring after nine minutes when he reacted well to stab home after his initial effort had been saved.
Grassick then doubled the advantage when he drove into the circle before finishing well.
Australia pulled one back in the second quarter through a Jeremy Hayward penalty corner and almost levelled but Harry Gibson made one of many fine saves during the contest to deny Dylan Wotherspoon.
The two-goal advantage was restored after a well-worked penalty corner as Sloan’s low flick was deflected in off Tim Deavin.
Simon Mantell’s excellent vision and pass set up David Condon to make it 4-1 early in the second half and although Australia pilled on the pressure and pulled one back through Matt Gohdes in the final quarter, Roper volleyed in a fifth on 49 minutes.
Sportsbeat 2015