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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: 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
Tokyo 2020: Japan 0-0 Great Britain
There goes the whistle and we’re all square in Sapporo.
(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
Karl Matchett24 July 2021 12:17
Tokyo 2020: Japan 0-0 Great Britain
Closing minutes of the first half. Japan continue to repel Great Britain as Hege Riise’s side search for the breakthrough.
Little tries to make a diagonal run through to the edge of the box but she can’t quite latch onto Bronze’s forward pass.
Plenty of encouragement coming from the sidelines, but no way through as yet.
Karl Matchett24 July 2021 12:15
Tokyo 2020: Japan 0-0 Great Britain
Hayashi goes into the book for Japan. Hasegawa then tries her luck from range, but it’s swiped off-target and no trouble for Roebuck.
Around ten minutes to the break; Hege Riise will be looking for a lot more movement going forward from her team – neither keeper has really been troubled so far.
Karl Matchett24 July 2021 12:06
Tokyo 2020: Great Britain’s hockey side lead South Africa
All looking good for Team GB in the hockey as a third goes in. Almost an hour on the clock.
Karl Matchett24 July 2021 12:03
Tokyo 2020: Japan 0-0 Great Britain
Bit of confusion in the Team GB defence and Tanaka almost pounces. The effort is off-target and it’s a bit of a let-off.
This is a better spell from the host nation, half an hour into the match. Still goalless, but it’s an intriguing tactical battle as both teams focus so far on defensive shape more than creativity and attacking intensity.
Karl Matchett24 July 2021 11:59
Tokyo 2020: Japan 0-0 Great Britain
A first real moment of danger from Japan as they attack down the right, but Stokes gets a good block in and Houghton deflects the second effort behind for a corner.
Nakajima’s corner is cleared, so is the subsequent cross back in from the flank and Team GB eventually clear their lines when Parris is fouled.
Karl Matchett24 July 2021 11:53
Tokyo 2020: Host nation Japan win their first medal of the summer
A silver in the judo (48kg women’s) for 25-year-old Funa Tonaki. Distria Krasniqi of Kosovo takes the gold.
Karl Matchett24 July 2021 11:50
Tokyo 2020: Japan 0-0 Great Britain
A cross from the left just evades Parris but White almost reaches it at the far post – only for a collision with the defender to leave her on the ground in the box. A few muted appeals for a penalty, but nothing given. Still all Great Britain in terms of possession and attacking intent, with Japan struggling to get bodies upfield so far.
Karl Matchett24 July 2021 11:44
Tokyo 2020: Japan 0-0 Great Britain
A low-key start to the match, albeit with plenty of possession for Great Britain, all in white today.
Parris trying to get on the ball in the opening stages, with Little also looking busy. Japan compact and low in their shape so far, content to soak up pressure. Hemp reaches a cross at the far post, but her header is well over the bar.
Karl Matchett24 July 2021 11:40
