Women's hockey hopes still alive after fightback

The British women's hockey team kept alive their medal hopes by fighting back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Argentina in their second group match today.

Having been hammered 5-1 by defending Olympic champions Germany in their opening match, Danny Kerry's side would have effectively been out of the competition if they had suffered another Pool B defeat.

With only two nations progressing to the semi-finals from a section that also includes Japan, USA and New Zealand, Britiain still have plenty to do to qualify, but they will be heartened by the quality and determination evident in their play.

Had they taken the lead in the seventh minute with the first chance of the game they might have won this evenly-matched encounter.

The chance came when Bowdon Hightown forward Jo Ellis robbed Mariana Gonzalez Olivia at the top of the circle but with only the keeper to beat she shot straight at Paola Vukojicic.

Three minutes later, Argentina went ahead when a penalty corner rebounded off a post to Soledad Garcia, who blasted home from a tight angle.

And it was not long before the South Americans extended their advantage with Alejandra Gulla deflecting in Claudia Burkhart's pass in the 27th minute.

Argentina boast the world's best player in Luciana Aymar and she dominated in midfield with her impressive ball control and strong running, particularly in the early stages.

She also forced British goalkeeper Beth Storry into a crucial save from her 44th-minute reverse stick shot.

Seconds later, however, Gonzalez Olivia was sin-binned for a challenge on Leicester midfielder Helen Richardson and while she was off GB took full advantage.

Crista Cullen's 48th-minute penalty corner was saved but Richardson's reverse-stick followup was tipped in by Wales forward Sarah Thomas.

Canterbury's Mel Clewlow then drilled in another set-piece two minutes later and Britain held out to secure a vital point.

Coach Kerry afterwards claimed he was not too concerned when his side were 2-0 down at the interval as he had seen encouraging signs in the first half.

"Half-time was really straightforward, probably one of my easiest ones," he said. "We had played pretty well and Argentina had been very good at their penalty corners.

"The message [to the players] was 'don't stop what you are doing, just do it better'.

"We tidied up one thing and it was really talking about the next score and generating momentum."