Great Britain steal victory from Japan as they score with two minutes left on the clock to take 2-1 win with GB’s Alex Danson scoring a brace to help her side to victory. Helen Richardson-Walsh makes her 250th [GB and England combined] international appearance in her first game back for over a year.
Source: Chris Lee
GB celebrate win against Japan
Great Britain triumphed on home turf in the Investec Private Banking International overcoming Japan 2-1 in a closely fought encounter at The Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre. The visitors took the lead in the 25th minute from the spot as Yukari Yamamoto converted a penalty stroke. However, a second half brace from Alex Danson, with the winner coming just two minutes from time, was enough for Great Britain to secure the victory.
Danny Kerry’s side dominated the opening quarter with Reading teammates Danson and Susie Gilbert looking threatening in attack. Gilbert forced the first penalty corner of the match after linking up smartly with Danson, but the resultant strike from Zoe Shipperley was saved by Sakiyo Asano between the posts. Against the run of play, Japan took the lead in the 25th minute when they were awarded a penalty stroke following a foot on the line. Yamamoto held her nerve, sending Maddie Hinch the wrong way and converting low to the keeper’s left to give her side a 1-0 lead heading into half time.
Source: Chris Lee
Great Britain’s Alex Danson takes the ball around Asano in Japan’s goal
Great Britain continued to pile the pressure on the Japanese defence in the third quarter and were rewarded for their persistence in the 42nd minute. A through ball from Helen Richardson-Walsh, who was playing in her 250th combined Great Britain and England international match, found Alex Danson in the circle and the number 15 kept her composure to round Asano and sweep home to draw the scores level.
The Great Britain forwards continued to threaten in the final quarter with Joie Leigh and Sarah Robertson causing problems in the Japanese circle. Two minutes from time the hosts found the winner with a well-worked penalty corner routine as Captain Kate Richardson-Walsh’s pass set up a diving Danson to deflect in hers and Great Britain’s second of the match.
Speaking after the game Great Britain’s goal scorer Alex Danson gave her thoughts on the performance today: “I’m really delighted we started well today, especially coming off the back of a non-pitch week in our training programme. At half time we had some specific tactics we wanted to implement so it was great to do that and to get the win and even better that it was at home in front of such a great crowd.”
On opponents Japan: “Japan are a very quick very tenacious team who are dangerous on the counter. We’d done our homework and knew what to expect. Our defence did a good job in countering that threat.”
On scoring a brace: “It’s always great to score but it was the goal from the penalty corner which I enjoyed the most today. We’ve worked hard on those, so to score a team goal and celebrate as a team is fantastic.”
On looking ahead to the Unibet EuroHockey Championships 2015: “We’re excited for the Euros, this [Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre] is a brilliant venue and I know there’s more seating going up which will make it even better. We’re excited and we’re really looking forward to what should be a fantastic summer.”
Relative newcomer [11 England and 7 Great Britain caps] Joie Leigh continues to impress and the attacking midfielder reflected on Great Britain’s performance and her goal scoring team mate: “Japan are coming off a competitive block of games so they are sharp. We wanted to start a bit quicker than we did so it took us while to get into it, but by the second half we were dominating possession and creating chances. Alex is so reliable and clinical and it’s great to have her in the side – she’s fantastic on and off the pitch.”
GREAT BRITAIN 2 (0)
Alex Danson 43, 58 (FG, PC)
JAPAN 1 (1)
Yukari Yamamoto 25 (PS)
Investec Private Banking International – Great Britain squad v Japan
Name – Club
Maddie Hinch – Holcombe
Emily Maguire – Reading
Kate Richardson-Walsh – Reading
Hollie Webb – Surbiton
Giselle Ansley – Surbiton
Laura Unsworth – Holcombe
Helen Richardson-Walsh – Reading
Susie Gilbert – Reading
Susannah Townsend – Canterbury
Lily Owsley – University of Birmingham
Joie Leigh – Clifton
Alex Danson – Reading
Sophie Bray – East Grinstead
Substitutes used
Georgie Twigg – Surbiton
Shona McCallin – Slough
Hannah Macleod – St Albans
Sarah Robertson – Holcombe
Ellie Watton – St Albans
Zoe Shipperley – Buckingham
Did Not Play
Sabbie Heesh – Leicester
