Great Britain head into their second fixture at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and this time out they face hosts Japan, knowing victory will guarantee a spot in the last eight.
Hege Riise’s side saw off Chile in their opening game, an Ellen White brace yielding a 2-0 victory – and a top-two finish will be theirs if another three points follows here, after Japan themselves only drew 1-1 with Canada in the first round of matches. The head coach was impressed by the showing in that win over the South Americans, while knowing there’s scope for improvement, too. “How we started the game was exceptional,” she said after Team GB’s win. “The first 30 minutes were the best we’ve played and we kept it going. It wasn’t pretty for the whole game but we fought and we managed to get the result we wanted.”
Now, the depth and talent on show throughout the squad could come to the fore, with changes expected for this fixture for Great Britain. For the hosts, the pressure is on to pick up a positive result and ensure they don’t make a quick exit – though with a couple of best third-place finishers also set to reach the quarter-finals, it won’t be a case of all hope lost if they suffer defeat.
Follow all the latest updates from the Olympics and the live action from Japan against Great Britain here:
Tokyo 2020: Japan 0-1 Great Britain
Under ten minutes remaining in Team GB’s second group stage match. If they close out the win, they are through to the knockouts with a game to spare, an absolutely ideal scenario even if they haven’t been in top gear today.
Nikita Parris replaced by Rachel Daly and Iwabuchi is now on for Japan.
Karl Matchett24 July 2021 13:08
Tokyo 2020: GOAL! Japan 0-1 Great Britain
There’s the breakthrough finally! Lovely cross from Bronze toward the near post, EllenWhite launches herself in front of the defender and loops a brilliant header over the keeper and into the far corner – her third of the tournament and 1-0 to Team GB.
Karl Matchett24 July 2021 13:00
Tokyo 2020: Adam Peaty wins 100m breaststroke race
Great Britain’s Adam Peaty has absolutely roared through his heat and wins his Heat 7 in style. 57.56 seconds and it’s job done for now.
Karl Matchett24 July 2021 12:58
Tokyo 2020: Adam Peaty set for 100m breaststroke race
Adam Peaty, one of Team GB’s biggest gold medal hopes, will be up soon in his 100m men’s breaststroke race.
He’s in Heat 7 – we’re up to Heat 5 right now which includes Great Britain’s James Wilby…who finishes second in his heat, behind Michael Andrew.
Karl Matchett24 July 2021 12:52
Tokyo 2020: Japan 0-0 Great Britain
Caroline Weir on for Sophie Ingle and Team GB trying to push on now, as we move into the final half-hour of the match.
Karl Matchett24 July 2021 12:50
Tokyo 2020: Japan’s iconic gymnast Kohei Uchimura exits in qualifying
“King Kōhei – probably the greatest male gymnast of all time and perhaps Japan’s most iconic sportsperson – was supposed to get his fairytale ending.
The absence of adoring fans, entranced by his balletic brilliance and roaring him on one last time at a home Olympic Games, seemed cruel but a high bar gold would make up for that.
Instead, an audible gasp went round the Ariake Gymnastics Centre as Uchimura, not only unbeatable but seemingly infallible for so long, fell in qualifying – his grip on the high bar failing him and the crash mat providing physical, if not emotional, solace.”
Karl Matchett24 July 2021 12:46
Tokyo 2020: Japan 0-0 Great Britain
Change for Japan, Shiokoshi replaced by Momiki. 14 goals at international level for the incoming 25-year-old, so one to watch for Team GB’s defenders.
It’s in attack they are focusing right now though with a corner which Little swings in – Houghton seems to be nudged off the ball in the middle but again there’s no hint of a penalty. The next corner is driven to the edge of the box but Bronze’s header is cleared.
Karl Matchett24 July 2021 12:43
Tokyo 2020: Japan 0-0 Great Britain
Second half underway!
Can Team GB pick up the intensity and find the breakthrough after the restart? They are certainly on the front foot early on in this half, but Hege Riise will hope they can trouble Yamashita an awful lot more in this 45 minutes.
There’s a strong bench to call upon, if required.
Karl Matchett24 July 2021 12:32
Tokyo 2020: Great Britain beat South Africa in hockey
A 3-1 victory for Team GB in the men’s hockey, Liam Ansell inspiring them past South Africa to make a winning start to their Olympic campaign.
Karl Matchett24 July 2021 12:28
Tokyo 2020: Day 1 round-up of the Olympics
Olympics Day 1 round-up: Andy Murray victory, Max Whitlock into final and Geraint Thomas crashes out
The Tokyo Olympics has finally kicked off, a year after it was supposed to take place in 2020.On the first day of action Max Whitlock safely negotiated the nerve-racking qualification process at the Ariake Gymnastics Centre on the day one of his sport’s biggest stars bowed out. Andy Murray reached the second round of the men’s doubles with a 6-3, 6-2 victory alongside Joe Salisbury over Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut.And Geraint Thomas crashed out of the men’s road race in an unfortunate start.
Karl Matchett24 July 2021 12:25
Source: The Independent