Commonwealth Games: England's men's hockey team beat New Zealand in shoot-out
Last Updated: 03/08/14 3:07pm
England's men secured a dramatic Commonwealth Games bronze with a penalty shoot-out victory over New Zealand on Sunday morning.
Having led 2-1 and 3-2 at Glasgow Green, England were pegged back to 3-3 in regulation time by Simon Child's equaliser.
But Bobby Crutchley's side held their nerve in the shoot-out to prevail 4-2 and clinch a second hockey medal in little over 12 hours.
England's women had to settle for silver after losing on penalties to Australia following a thrilling final on Saturday night.
Child opened the scoring for New Zealand but Alastair Brogdon soon equalised from close range and a penalty corner strike four minutes before half-time from Ashley Jackson put England in front.
Another penalty corner from Jackson in the second half restored England's lead after Andy Hayward had levelled for New Zealand, but Child's late effort - through the legs of England goalkeeper George Pinner - took the game to a shoot-out.
Pinner's save from Blair Hilton swung the advantage England's way and a miss from Child meant the outcome rested on Simon Mantell's shoulders.
Penalty stroke
He was fouled by New Zealand goalkeeper Devon Manchester and, after a failed video referral, England were awarded a penalty stroke. Jackson emphatically scored, before being mobbed by his team-mates.
It was a very tough game for both teams. I'm happy the guys got rewarded with a bronze medal this time, because we have finished fourth too many times.
Bobby Crutchley
England's men had been beaten to bronze by the Kiwi's on flicks in the third-place play-off in Delhi four years ago as well as the World League semi-finals in 2013, but Crutchley was happy to see his side come out on the right side of a shoot-out this time, and hailed their Glasgow 2014 experience.
"We lost to them (New Zealand) in a shoot-out last January, so we were as prepared as we could be for this," he said.
"It was a very tough game for both teams. I'm happy the guys got rewarded with a bronze medal this time, because we have finished fourth too many times."
He added of the Games: "It's been fantastic. I'm amazed with the amount of English people who made the trip to come see us play. We play in great stadiums, but here it was just amazing."
Australia maintained their 100 per cent record as they thrashed India 4-0 in the final to claim a fifth successive Commonwealth Games gold medal.
Chris Ciriello struck twice in the first half from penalty corners to give the Aussies a commanding lead at the break.
Ciriello then completed his hat-trick from another penalty corner early in the second period and Eddie Ockenden rounded off the scoring for the world champions from close range 20 minutes from time.