SM
Sports Mole words bigger AMP 2
Man City vs. Real Madrid: 5 hrs 10 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data
JN
Japan national football team
Olympic Games Women's Football | Group Stage
Jul 24, 2021 at 11.30am UK
Sapporo Dome

Japan Women
0 - 1
GB Women


Hayashi (30'), Yamashita (79')
FT(HT: 0-0)
White (74')

Hege Riise lauds "connections" in GB team after Japan win

:Headline: Hege Riise lauds 'connections' in GB team after Japan win:
Team GB have reached the quarter-finals with a game to spare.
Sports Mole
Hege Riise lauds 'connections' in GB team after Japan win

Hege Riise praised Team GB's unity after in-form striker Ellen White struck again to book their spot in the last eight at the Olympics.

The Manchester City striker grabbed her third goal in two games to seal a cagey 1-0 win over hosts Japan in Group E.

Team GB dominated the second half but were forced to be patient against an organised Japan team.

They sit top of Group E with six points, ahead of Canada who also beat Chile 2-1 on Saturday. Team GB play Canada for the right to finish top in Kashima on Tuesday.

Riise said: "In the first half, we didn't look like ourselves, we didn't have the speed of play we wanted. We came out as a different team with an attitude and togetherness and we all committed to the last 45 minutes.

"In the second half we changed formation a little bit and controlled it much better.

"We are all happy, it puts us in a good position and we're able to rest players and recover well. The connections between the players will get better and better each game.

"We were surprised Japan made changes but they had momentum in the first half."

“The connections between the players will get better and better each game”
- Hege Riise

A forgettable first half saw Mina Tanaka drive wide after 32 minutes in the only scare for Team GB despite disciplined Japan slowly taking control.

Two tame Lauren Hemp headers which dropped wide were Team GB's best chances during a cautious opening 45 minutes.

Riise's side tried to pick the pace up after the break but were stifled by the hosts, although Japan failed to make a telling impact themselves.

Steph Houghton volleyed over after 63 minutes and Nikita Parris curled wide soon after as Team GB dominated the ball.

But White soon capitalised on a defensive error to give Team GB the win they deserved with 16 minutes left.

Lucy Bronze's cross from the right should have been dealt with by the Japan defence but White stole in ahead of goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita to glance the ball in.

Caroline Weir was close to adding a second when her free kick dropped a yard over with a minute left.

Japan boss Asako Takakura said: "We played against a great team, they were a great opposition. We knew coming in to the game it was not going to be easy so we had discussions prior to the game.

"We talked about what we had to do with our defence and we had to be very patient.

"In the first half we executed as we had planned, in the second half the plan was to make more offensive moves but our opponent was very strong and were able to go forward."

body check tags ::

amp_article__456754 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2021-07-24 13:36:28:
html db last update - 2021-07-24 13:36:28 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html

Click here for more stories about Ellen White

Click here for more stories about Japan Women

Share this article now:


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Recommended Next on SM
Jesus 'tops Juventus shortlist of Ronaldo replacements'
"I have to be careful what I say": Salah's ex-teammate drops Liverpool bombshell
From Arne to Arteta: Which Liverpool attacker could Arsenal make shock move for?
Which Man United duo are playing at the Paris 2024 Olympics?
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool23175156213556
2Arsenal24148249222750
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest24145540271347
4Chelsea24127547311643
5Manchester CityMan City24125748351341
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle24125742291341
7Bournemouth24117641281340
8Aston Villa2410773437-337
9Fulham249963632436
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2481063538-334
11Brentford2494114242031
12Crystal Palace247982830-230
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd2485112834-629
14Tottenham HotspurSpurs24831348371127
15West Ham UnitedWest Ham2476112946-1727
16Everton236892328-526
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2454153452-1819
18Leicester CityLeicester2445152553-2817
19Ipswich TownIpswich2437142249-2716
20Southampton2423191854-369
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

The worst-kept secret is out: Arsenal's first summer transfer confirmed!

1

TW
The worst-kept secret is out: Arsenal's first summer transfer confirmed!

Man City star set for 'showdown talks' over future as summer exit looms

NEW

2

MC
Man City star set for 'showdown talks' over future as summer exit looms

"I have to be careful what I say": Salah's ex-teammate drops Liverpool bombshell

3

&H
"I have to be careful what I say": Salah's ex-teammate drops Liverpool bombshell

Man United, Barcelona learn Mateta asking price as Lyon 'controversy' emerges

4

MU
Man United, Barcelona learn Mateta asking price as Lyon 'controversy' emerges

Badiashile, Jackson boost? Chelsea injury, suspension list vs. Brighton

5

BJ
Badiashile, Jackson boost? Chelsea injury, suspension list vs. Brighton

Man United monitoring £60m Premier League star 'very closely'

6

MU
Man United monitoring £60m Premier League star 'very closely'

Tuesday's Champions League predictions including Man City vs. Real Madrid

7

TC
Tuesday's Champions League predictions including Man City vs. Real Madrid

Chelsea leading race for 'Swedish Messi', but are Blues failing to address glaring issue?

8

CL
Chelsea leading race for 'Swedish Messi', but are Blues failing to address glaring issue?

Tuesday's Championship predictions including Watford vs. Leeds

9

TC

Could Chelsea's 'limitless' budget help Blues secure club-record transfer?

10

CC
1x1


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .