Team GB’s men’s and women’s teams well placed to progress
Both Team GB’s men’s and women's hockey teams look well placed to qualify for the latter stages of their Olympic competition after picking up decisive victories in their pool matches this week.
Marlow’s Sam Ward, who was partially blinded in one eye after being hit in the face by a ball in an Olympic qualifier two years ago netted in both the 2-1 victory over South Africa and 3-1 win over Canada.
However, the men’s team struggled defensively in Tuesday’s heavy 5-1 defeat to Germany.
They took the lead through Phil Roper but that’s as good as it got for Team GB as Florian Fuchs netted a hat-trick and Christoper Ruhr and Justus Weig also found the net to complete an emphatic victory.
The team, which also features Maidenhead Hockey Club coach David Ames, have two pool matches remaining to get that defeat out of their system, starting against the Netherlands today (Thursday, 4.15am UK time). The top four teams will progress to the quarterfinals.
The women’s team are also growing into the competition nicely, with Maidenhead’s Ellie Rayer at the forefront of that.
The former Claires Court School student netted twice as GB bounced back from defeat against Germany to beat South Africa 4-1 on Monday.
They then proved too hot for India to handle on Wednesday morning, beating them 4-1 with goals from Hannah Martin (two), Lily Owsley and Grace Baldson.
An entertaining opening game finished 2-1 to Germany, with Sarah Jones scoring on her Olympic debut for GB.
The women’s team are defending the title they won in Rio in 2016, but this is a much-changed squad, however, it still features Maidenhead’s Maddie Hinch and Giselle Ansley. Maidenhead Hockey Club coach Shona McCallin is also hoping to guide GB to further Olympic glory.
They’re set to play the Netherlands in their fourth pool match today (Thursday, 11am UK time).