Amy Costello’s first goal for Great Britain ensured they finished fifth at the end of 2018 Champions Trophy.
The defender smashed home a 21st minute corner to secure the first victory of the tournament for her side after they finished bottom of the group.
Her goal came after Hannah Martin had scored her second of the tournament to level the scores just seconds after Yui Ishibashi gave Japan the lead in the fourth minute.
Japan applied plenty of pressure in the second half but couldn’t find the equaliser, with Susannah Townsend producing a stunning block with just six minutes remaining to keep out Mami Karino.
Martin’s equaliser was a moment head coach David Ralph believed to be pivotal in side’s success in this game, giving GB the impetus and confidence needed to secure the win.
“We’ve had to work hard in this tournament, it’s not quite gone our way but we’ve had some positives,” he said.
“It was important for us to grab that momentum back so coming back so quickly gave us a bit of life, a bit of energy in our legs for the rest of the game.”
Next up for Great Britain’s women is their opening fixture in the brand new FIH Pro League on 8 February 2019.
Starting XI: Tennant (GK), Unsworth, Evans, Toman, Martin, Townsend, Bray, Pearne-Webb (C), Owsley, Balsdon, Costello
Subs: Robertson, Petty, Sanders, Howard, Jones, Ansley, Heesh (GK)
Courtesy of GB Hockey
