Team GB set for historic opening
- Sunday,
Team GB Women v New Zealand
Olympic Games, London 2012
4pm, Wednesday 25 July
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Following a creditable 0-0 draw with last year’s World Cup semi-finalists Sweden, Team GB Women arrived in Cardiff on Saturday afternoon, the venue for their opening two matches of the Olympic Games.
Their game against New Zealand on Wednesday, two days before the Opening Ceremony, will be the very first event of London 2012 and midfielder Jill Scott says being trusted with that responsibility is indescribable.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime [opportunity],” she began. “We are very privileged and honoured to be in this position and we just want to go on and enjoy the whole experience.
“It has been slowly sinking in, but I can’t describe how we’ll probably all feel when Wednesday comes along. At the minute it is just excitement.”
Scott played the full 90 minutes against the Swedes and she believes Team GB can build on Friday’s performance. The visitors did create some decent chances, most notably through Caroline Seger and Kosovare Asllani, but Hope Powell’s side did carry a threat themselves. Kelly Smith had a goal ruled out for offside, Rachel Yankey struck the upright and Steph Houghton fired a shot inches over the bar.
“I thought we played OK,” said Scott. “We passed the ball around well in the first half, we were just a bit sloppy in the second half. Defensively we did well but we know there’s more to come from us attacking wise.
“We can take that performance into the game against New Zealand, analyse it and see where we can do better.
“We know what we’ve got to do, we practice every day and we just want to transfer that onto the pitch.
“All the girls are really looking forward to Wednesday and can’t wait to get started.”
