Argentina comeback stuns GB
- Friday,
By Matt Phillips
Paralympics GB blew a two-goal lead against Argentina, and with it their chances of finishing in the top six at London 2012.
First half strikes from Ibz Diallo and Matt Dimbylow had GB cruising into Sunday's fifth-place play-off against Holland.
But an Argentinian fight-back, led by hat-trick man Brian Vivot, means Lyndon Lynch's team must now face USA again and will be desperate for victory to avoid last-place at the Paralympics seven-a-side tournament.
Despite playing in temperatures more suited to Buenos Aires than London, the home side started brightly as Diallo saw an early shot whistle wide.
But the playmaker found the target on 14 minutes when he ghosted through the Argentina defence to convert Barker's low cross from six yards.
Diallo turned provider for GB's second goal ten minutes later when his pinpoint corner was headed home at the far post by returning skipper Matt Dimbylow.
But Argentina pulled a goal back less than three minutes later when Rodrigo Lugrin's low shot crept inside Craig Connell's left hand post.
The goal proved to be an inspiration rather than a consolation for Argentina and the South Americans were unlucky not to be on level terms at half-time. Lugrin's flighted free kick from the half way line eluded everyone and ended up in the GB net.
GB were spared, though, when Dutch referee, Barry Huizinga, pulled play back for a foul in the box by Vivot.
Midfielder Vivot would prove to be a thorn in GB's side for the rest of the game and he found the net himself nine minutes after the break when he toe-poked past Connell to level matters.
A minute later and Connell was up-ended by Fernandez which saw the GB keeper seemingly out cold for a couple of minutes.
The Scotsman was replaced by Billy Thompson for the rest of the game and it was in extra-time that Vivot put GB to the sword.
A scuffed shot by Luquez was seized upon by Vivot in the penalty area and he coolly converted past Thompson.
And the 20-year-old completed his hat-trick from close-range on 72 minutes after a decent run and pull back from Fernandez.
Alistair Patrick-Heselton had been introduced in extra time for Dimbylow and the pacy midfielder smashed home a half-volley at the far post with three minutes left to give GB a glimmer of hope.
And he almost sent the tie into a penalty shootout moments later when he only just failed to connect with a mis-timed shot from Jonny Paterson.
GB had left their rally too late. It will now be a case of avoiding the wooden spoon in Sunday's encounter with USA.
