WORCESTER’S Ajmal Ahmed admitted it was back to the drawing board after Great Britain lost their opening five-a-side football match 3-0 at the hands of an impressive China side.
ParalympicGB were making their debut in the event and had been tipped to challenge for a medal after finishing second in last year’s European Championships.
But Ahmed — who skippered the side in Beijing — and co. were found wanting in their opening game of the round-robin competition as a Wang Yafeng inspired China dominated proceedings in front of a near full house at the Olympic hockey venue.
With Athens gold and silver medallists Brazil and Argen-tina to come along with six-time and current European champions Spain, Ahmed knows GB have it all to do if they are to challenge for honours.
“We need to pick ourselves up now and make sure we play the way we can in our remaining games,” said the 27-year-old, who was joined in the side by fellow-Worcester-based pl-ayers Lee Greatbatch, William Norman and Keryn Seal.
“We are all disappointed as no one likes to lose their opening game but we need to hold our hands up and admit we were beaten by the better side. “They have improved dramatically in the last year and have gone full time which showed in their technical play and we couldn’t live with it on the day.”
China dominated the first half and it came as no surprise when Wang — who had been terrorising the GB defence all half — opened the scoring in the 17th minute following a mazy run that left him one-on- one with keeper Jonathan Pugh.
It was only Pugh’s heroics that prevented China doubling their advantage as the keeper saved Li Xiaoqiang’s penalty in the final minute of the half before twice foiling the home skipper from the rebound.
GB had their chances with David Clarke twice forcing the hosts’ goalkeeper into action as Anthony Larkin’s men went in to the interval a goal down.
Things went from bad to worse after the restart as Ch-en Shanyong linked up with Wang before striking the ball beyond Pugh from close- range.
GB rarely threatened a dramatic comeback with Wang adding to his and China’s tally in the 38th minute while the hosts even found time to miss a second spot-kick of the game before the full-time whistle.
Despite fulfilling a lifetime ambition in the Far East, Ahmed is now turning attention to tomorrow’s must-win showdown with Korea.
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