British men's hockey team off to perfect start with victory over Pakistan

Their previous two encounters against the three-time gold medallists in Sydney and Athens ended in 8-1 and 8-2 defeats but GB began in the best possible way with a goal after just 51 seconds.

A great long ball from Beeston's Alastair Wilson picked out Barry Middleton at the top of the circle and he laid off to Surbiton's James Tindall who fired high into the net.

Two minutes later Imran Warsi hit the post from Pakistan's first penalty corner before Muhammad Saqlain blazed wide from 14 yards.

Mixed emotions: Great Britain celebrate

Great Britain's first short corner saw Reading defender Richard Mantell's drag-flick saved and Surbiton's Matt Daly blast the rebound into the side-netting.

In the 14th minute captain Ben Hawes drove forward from right half and passed to Surbiton team-mate Rob Moore who drilled a reverse-stick shot across the keeper and into the far corner for GB's second.

Eight minutes later Loughborough Students' Scotland goalkeeper Alistair McGregor produced a great save low to his right from Warsi's penalty corner drag-flick.

However, East Grinstead midfielder Ashley Jackson increased Britain's lead with a high drag-flick from a 28th-minute corner.

Pakistan won four penalty corners in the last five minutes of the half but McGregor was only required to save one from Saqlain's deflection.

Under control: James Tindall (right) outfoxes Zeeshan Ashraf

Five minutes into the second half McGregor was in action again, diving to his right to save Imran's penalty corner.

At the other end a 44th-minute Richard Mantell penalty corner forced a low save from Salman Akbar.

Two minutes later a quick break from Pakistan saw Shafqat Rasool pick out Shakeel Abbasi for a tap-in at the far post to make it 3-1, before moments later Hawes was sin-binned for a poor challenge.

GB survived the 10-minute spell their captain was off but with 12 minutes to go a mis-control by Surbiton's Ben Marsden gifted the ball to Muhammad Waqas in the
circle and he made no mistake.

But with nine minutes to go Mantell's penalty corner rebounded to Daly who drilled home to make it 4-2 and secure only their 10th victory in 45 meetings.

Head coach Jason Lee was understandably delighted with the result, especially
the way his team opened the match - although he almost missed the first goal.

'It was a brilliant start. I had hardly settled into my seat in my coaching box (in the stand) when we scored and I got told off for shouting too much,' said the former GB international.

'We scored early in the Olympic qualifying tournament final against India (in Chile in April) and today felt a bit like that.

'It certainly helped ease the nerves because we were nervous, to say the least.'