2014 08 02 Glasgow Commonwealth Games: Kirkham's View AUSTRALIA Semi-Final

2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games Views and Analysis

By Glenn Kirkham of East Grinstead Hockey Club

Glenn Kirkham made 223 appearances for England and Great Britain and retired from international hockey at the age of 31 in 2013.  Glenn competed in the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games in Beijing and London respectively as well as Commonwealth Games, World Cups, European Nations and Champions Trophy competitions.  Glenn won the European Nations in 2009 with England, defeating Germany 5:3 in the final and is considered to have been one of the most consistent performers to have graced the England and Great Britain sides.

How do you feel England have progressed so far this tournament ?

Obviously I'm sure they will be disappointed to have finished second in the group and therefore play Australia in the semi final but on the whole I believe they'll feel that their performances have improved as the competition has gone on. It was a decent performance against New Zealand despite the result and the attacking play against Canada was really positive. The connections between Catlin, Jackson and Middleton in the final third were excellent. It's great to see our best players playing well which is so important if the team are to medal. 

And the semi-final ?

I would certainly have preferred to see this as the final match but as they say you have to beat them at some stage to win the gold so why not now! Australia have been consistent again but perhaps not winning by the kind of margins that I would have expected before the tournament. They are certainly beatable and I believe with somewhere near England's best performance and a slightly below par showing from Australia and the boys will make the final. A lot will rely on the strong team defence that England have developed over the last two years and then whether we can convert our corners - no pressure Ash! 

Glenn can be seen in action during the coming season playing for East Grinstead Hockey Club.