Team GB’s men’s hockey side claimed an important 9-1 win against Brazil as they emphatically came from behind against the hosts to keep their hopes of qualifying from Pool A alive.
Facing the challenge of playing Brazil in front of a boisterous home crowd, Team GB made the worst possible start to the game, conceding a goal inside the first few minutes.
Falling behind seemed to spur the team into action and after some good build up play, Adam Dixon levelled with a cool strike into the bottom left hand corner.
Captain Barry Middleton put Team GB into the ascendency with a calmly taken goal and a third from Ashley Jackson put them well in control with a 3-1 lead at half-time.
Team GB continued to press home their dominance in the second half with Harry Martin blasting home in the third quarter to make it 4-1.
Sam Ward scored a fifth and Middleton took his second of the game before Mark Gleghorne, Jackson (with his second) and Ward slotted the final goals of the match to complete the rout.
The result was a huge boost following a loss to Belgium and a draw against New Zealand, while it nicely set up a crucial game against Australia on Wednesday.
“When they put that first corner in I wondered what had got ourselves in for but it is a testament to the resilience we have has a team. We knew the task at hand and we played well from there," opening scorer Dixon said.
“We have Australia tomorrow which is as tough as they come but we have been looking forward to this game for a long time.
“Realistically it is a game we need to win so we will go out and give it our all."