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Monday, 30th July 2012
In Japan Sports News,
Japan suffers 4-0 beating in opening game against hosts
Japan took a thrashing this weekend when the women’s hockey team folded to a 4-0 defeat against the Olympics hosts.
The opening match failed to see the Japanese side score even one goal, with Great Britain scoring all four in the first half of the match.
Reverse flicks were implemented on two occasions by team GB to take the lead against their South Pacific rivals.
Despite the Japanese side’s various attempts on goal, they enjoyed little success and fell to the lower end of Group A
Goalkeeper Sakiyo Asano was unable to fend off the advances of Sarah Thomas, Sally Watson and Alex Danson, who took two goals for the British team.
This marked the British side’s best victory against Japan in 34 years, however, it was not without its sacrifices.
In the final minutes of the game, Team GB suffered not just one but two injuries that saw key players chaperoned off the pitch.
The unfortunate athletes were captain Kate Walsh, who was struck in the face with a hockey stick, and Helen Richardson, who was smacked in the knee by the ball.
Team GB defender Crist Cullen explained how the victory would set the side up for a promising performance at the Games.
She was quoted by the Telegraph as saying: “What was really important was that we got ourselves into the tournament and had a good start.
“I’m so proud of the girls who got those goals, field play goals, open goals, and [their] attacking play. I think the girls did brilliantly.”
Japanese forwards Ai Murakami and Aki Mitsuhashi are likely to have been disappointed with the result of the first game of the competition.
They are set to face The Netherlands tomorrow (July 31st) at 8.30am and will no doubt be looking to secure a place further up the table.
Posted by Mark Smith
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