RAF Star Set For World Cup Semi-Final

RAF Senior Aircraftman Liam Sanford on right (Picture: England Hockey).

RAF Senior Aircraftman Liam Sanford will play for England in a World Cup semi-final on Saturday after a pulsating 3-2 victory over Argentina.

SAC Sanford put in a player of the match performance against New Zealand in the last round to help England reach the quarter-finals against the Olympic champions.

Despite an early set-back, England roared back into the game and a slender advantage at full-time means they have reached the semi-final stage in three successive World Cup tournaments.

England started the game well, earning two penalty corners in the first quarter but were made to pay for not finishing them off. Gonzalo Peillat’s flick was too hot to handle for George Pinner, who deflected the ball in for the opening goal.

Sanford’s team piled on the pressure after going behind. Argentina goalkeeper Juan Vivaldi pulled off a great save from Zach Wallace to keep England at bay, but he could do nothing about Barry Middleton’s thunderous equaliser. It was a terrific effort that sizzled into the bottom corner and the game was level again.

Will Calnan took advantage of a defensive mistake to poke England in front before the game had a wild minute of hockey.

Argentina equalised with a second goal from Peillat but seconds later, England’s advantage was restored. Harry Martin slipped the ball past Vivaldi to score what turned out to be the winning goal.

In the semi-final, England will play either Germany or Belgium on Saturday before a possible final berth on Sunday.