Game Day 2: GBR vs Japan

Sunday 7^th July

Despite the village nearing full capacity in terms of student athletes, the whole village was relatively quiet this morning as the Opening Ceremony celebrations had clearly left their mark. The one advantage of this was not queuing for breakfast, which is always a winner.

Team line up vs Japan

Today’s schedule was similar to that of Friday when we faced Brazil, with a 5pm kick off we had the day to prepare and relax and get ready to face Japan. The team was named in the morning and we were going with the same 11 that finished the game vs Brazil. Understandably I was gutted not to be featuring in the starting 11, but appreciated that the team who did the job against Brazil deserved to keep their shirts. I prepared and got myself focused so that if called upon I was ready to step up and play my role; whatever that may be. I am eager and biting at the bit to get my chance but will keep working hard until my opportunity comes. I know that we have a whole squad of 20 players all of whom have a vital role to play in the tournament and we all want to be out there playing our part on the pitch – we wouldn’t be here otherwise.

Today's starting line up

Before we knew it kick off was upon us and our second group game was underway. Japan started well and it was quickly evident that they were technically a good team. 2 minutes gone and we found ourselves 1-0 down, our first goal conceded in the tournament which was not how we planned to start the game. We were immediately on the back foot and we didn’t even have chance to settle into the game, but now we needed a reaction and the girls delivered. About 10 minutes later that reaction came through a goal, but for some unknown reason the official disallowed it. The rest of the first half was spent trying to gain some momentum but to all of the team’s frustrations we didn’t perform as well as we know we can and we couldn't quite find the back of the net.

Japan on the attack during the first half

Half-time was welcomed with frozen towels and plenty of fluids at the ready in a bid to try and cool the girls down; it was a very hot day to be playing football. Out for the second half the girls came, they had nothing to lose, we knew we had the chance to get full points from this game, we just needed to perform. We constantly threatened the Japanese defence and it wasn’t long before we finally scored – a corner from Michelle was half cleared and fell to Kasia who half-volleyed the ball back in, off the cross bar it bounced and past the line. Despite the protests of the Japanese players the referee, along with the lineswomen, agreed with our players that the ball had crossed the line and the goal was given. GBR 1 JAPAN 1. We were back in the game!

Michelle delivering a dangerous free kick which
nearly led to a goal

This goal lifted the team and you could see the confidence in all of the girls as we continued to press for that second goal. Chances started to be created and we were sure this game was swinging back into our hands. All we needed was that next goal but unfortunately it the Japanese who managed to get it. A cross into our 6 yard area bobbled awkwardly and somehow managed to squeeze between our defence and GK and find its way into the goal. 2-1 to Japan. Even though the team gave their all, working their socks off (quite literally) they couldn’t quite find that goal and the game ended up in a 2-1 defeat to Japan. The whole team were gutted and we walked away knowing that we had it in us to beat them but for today our performance didn’t quite meet our potential.

But no time to sit and dwell on today’s game, we need to take the positives from it and put things right for Tuesday where was face Estonia in our last group game. Regardless of today’s defeat, we still have it all to play for and qualification through to the quarter-finals is still our aim. Its games like today that show what teams are made of… We are strong, united as a team, driven and our goals still remain and I still have faith we will achieve all we have set out to achieve. Tomorrow is a new day and a new opportunity.

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters" - Epictetus