Team GB’s women’s hockey side go into Monday’s quarter-final fresh from completing the perfect pool stage campaign after a 2-1 win over the USA made it five from five for Danny Kerry’s side.
Goals from Sophie Bray and Alex Danson sealed the comeback and the top spot in the Pool means Team GB will face fourth-placed Spain from Pool A for a place in the semi-finals.
And for the captain Kate Richardson-Walsh, the manner of the victories will set the side up well for their medal charge at Rio 2016.
“We had a lot of possession and corners tonight we just had to wait until late to convert those into goals,” said Richardson-Walsh.
“I think in all the games we’ve shown a little bit of what we’re about. We’ve been goals behind, and goals up, we’ve played with nine players and ten players. Now hopefully in the quarter-finals we can just play our best.”
With eight of the squad left over from the side that won bronze four years ago at London 2012, there’s plenty of experience to help steer through the knock-out rounds, including defender Crista Cullen who won her 100th cap for Great Britain in the fixture.
“When you see Crista playing she’s dominant in her aura and her personality,” added Richardson-Walsh.
“She’s defensively very strong and is experienced. If you’ve a person like that in your squad you have to use her and Crista is one of the people that can tell me how it is – I love playing with her.”