TEAM GB have powered their way into the Open quarter-finals with a 2-1 win over South Africa on Tuesday.
Anything less than victory would have seen them exit the competition prematurely but it was nailbiting stuff right to the end when South Africa converted a penalty with just seven minutes to go.
Goals in each half by James Gershfield and Adam Bolle saw GB to victory. But it needed a couple of great saves from the keeper and a strong defensive display for GB to survive.
With two minutes to go, coach Michael Stone turned to the manager David Pollock and declared: “Actually, this is going to go our way.”
Pollock said: “In the last 10 minutes the noise from parents, friends and girlfriends was amazing.”
He described his team as “a team of stars” with a strong spirit of togetherness and unity.
Great Britain now face Mexico in the quarter finals, a team described as “clever opponents who will play with skill, flair and passion”.
But with spirits high throughout the team, they are “cautiously optimistic” of their chances.
Stone added: “We thoroughly deserved it. And to show the strength of character from losing our first group game and then go on and win the next three is such credit to everyone involved, is fantastic.
“We’re building momentum, and in some ways, character. Having lost the first game we knew we needed nine points. There were no ifs and buts; whoever won today was sending the other team home so it was do or die. It would be wrong to mention individuals as it was a great effort by them all."
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