Team GB women’s hockey side make losing start to their Olympics title defence as Viktoria Huse and Charlotte Stapenhorst strike to claim opening victory for Germany
Mark Hager has his work cut out here if Team GB women’s hockey are to defend the gold they won five years ago in Tokyo following an opening group defeat to Germany.
GB started purposefully and got their reward when Sarah Jones was on hand to tap in on the reverse after the ball popped loose from an attacking penalty corner.
Germany rallied and levelled before the break when Viktoria Huse sent Maddie Hinch diving the wrong way from a penalty flick.
Germany made a commanding start to the women’s hockey in Tokyo as they beat Team GB
Viktoria Huse deceived Maddie Hinch to score a decisive penalty stroke before half-time
Team GB impressed in spells but could do little to avoid a losing start to their title defence
It was Hager’s side that dominated possession and so when Charlotte Stapenhorst made it 2-1 to Germany on the counter at the start of the second half there was real disappointment on the GB bench.
So much was made of this squad’s chances after they stopped the news in Rio with the most dramatic of gold medal wins.
Watched by a BBC TV audience of more than nine million, the final against the Holland, which ended 3-3 before going to penalties, delayed the BBC News at Ten.
It was voted as one of the top 10 Olympic moments of all time and if fans are to see a repeat there will need to be big improvements in Tokyo.
More to follow.
GB’s Shona McCallin celebrated the opener as Sarah Jones tapped in at the back post
A Team GB penalty corner routine saw the ball break free fortuitously to an unmarked Jones