GB held by Argentina
- Sunday,
by Matt Phillips
Paralympics GB 0-0 Argentina
London 2012 Five-a-Side Football Competition
3.30pm, Sunday 2 September
Riverbank Arena, Olympic Park
The Paralympics GB Blind Squad must beat Iran on Tuesday if they're to stand any chance of progressing to the London 2012 medal matches after drawing 0-0 with Argentina at the Riverbank Arena on Sunday.
The draw sees Paralympics GB stand alone in third place after Spain moved into the top two qualifying positions, just behind the South Americans, with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Iran.
With Argentina having also scored two unanswered goals against the Iranians, it means that Paralympics GB must at least equal that scoreline if Spain and Argentina draw in their lunchtime clash on Tuesday.
Today's stalemate was the first time that Argentina had ever dropped points against a team from Great Britain/England in a competitive tournament.
Paralympics GB Head Coach, Tony Larkin, made two changes to the team that drew with Spain on Friday, Dan James replacing Lewis Skyers in goal and Will Norman coming in for Robin Williams.
It was a match of few chances with Argentina and River Plate hitman, Silvio Velo, making James work between the sticks while Luis Sacayan squandered an eight metre penalty opportunity when he shot high and wide just before half-time.
Paralympics GB had to play almost the entire second half without Dan English who suffered a broken nose in a accidental head clash just after the break and GB missed the North-East native's physical presence with neither David Clarke or Darren Harris able to break down Argentina's resolute defence.
Speaking after the game, captain David Clarke commented: "We didn't lose the game which was the most important thing and that means we've still got a great opportunity to go through to the Semi-Finals.
"That's far better than being in a meaningless game against Iran on Tuesday so we're still in this tournament.
"It helps that Spain and Argentina play each other before us so we'll know exactly what we need to do to progress.
"It was a hard fought draw and the first time we've ever taken a point off Argentina in 16 years of competition."
