GREAT BRITAIN'S women's hockey team, skippered by Maidenhead's Kate Richardson-Walsh, made in four wins out of four in Rio by beating a stubborn Japanese side 2-0 on Thursday.
But head coach Danny Kerry admitted they were not at their best. “I don't think any of us today would be satisfied with the performance," he said.
"Laura Unsworth played a mature game, Hollie Webb was also very solid and Maddie Hinch also made some important saves, but I don't think anyone will be happy with the team performance.
"However, we've kept a clean sheet, won the game and not played that well. So looking at the big picture, we've won four group games; we're definitely in the top two, so if you'd offered us that we'd have taken it every day.”
The Bisham-based side got off to a good start by taking a fifth-minute lead when Lily Owsley's cross was deflected into the net by a Japanese defender.
GB thought they had doubled their lead early in the fourth quarter as Helen Richardson-Walsh smashed in Crista Cullen’s pass, but the goal was disallowed for an infringement in the build up.
However, they did eventually make it 2-0 on 55 minutes when, as Japan tried to clear a penalty corner, the ball popped up and Nicola White volleyed it in from above her head.
GB will be looking to complete their group games with a 100 per cent record when they take on the USA on Saturday at 10pm.
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