WUG finally kicked off!
By Lee Taylor | 16 August 2007
Mixed fortunes greeted Team GB footballers in their opening group matches.
The men came from behind to earn a well deserved 1-1 draw against Mexico at Bangkok's University Stadium. However, the women were unlucky to come away with nothing from their defeat to China.
The men's side where trailing at half time to a deflected free kick midway through the first period a scrappy goal that summed up the first half.
However Team GB dominated the second half ensuring they took their share of the spoils when a Matt Townley long ball fell kindly for Klukouski who kept his cool to slot home the goal and bring the sides level.
Each group game that finishes all square will be followed by a penalty shoot-out to decide any qualification issues that arise should the teams be level at the conclusion of the phase. Therefore both sides needed to find that extra something after a gruelling 90 minutes. Klukowski equalised the Mexicans opening penalty, before Siddall saved their second effort. The teams then exchanged scores before Townley fired home the deciding kick to win it 5-4.
Graeme Dell, head coach, was pleased with there performance and believes it will give the side confidence going into the next group match against Morocco on Thursday.”
Earlier in the day Britain’s Women’s side were extremely unlucky to come away empty handed from their match against China at the Ramkhamhaeng University Main Stadium. A controversially disallowed goal prevented them from taking an early lead but they continued to dominate play. Danielle Bird came close to scoring but was denied by the bar shortly before the break.
In the second half it seemed like only a matter of time before Great Britain would break the deadlock but despite numerous chances - Loughborough's Nicole Emmanuel and Gwennan Harries of the University of Wales in Cardiff both going close - Laura Harvey's side could not find the finishing touch. In the 78th minute, with their first meaningful attack of the second period, China took the lead through Lin. Britain pushed for an equaliser but were unable to find one.
Head Coach Harvey commented, "I think it's fair to say that the best team here today came away with nothing - but that's football," said the head coach. "I was really pleased with the way the girls played today and the strategy we set out clearly worked. We are disappointed to have lost obviously, but this group is still wide open and despite the defeat we remain really positive."
