Great Britain now meet the Netherlands in the gold medal game while New Zealand battle it out against Germany for bronze at 3:00am on Saturday morning (NZ time).
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Prolific goalscorer Kerly helped inspire Britain’s men to the 1988 gold medal, blasting a hat-trick against semi-final opponents Australia before Imran Sherwani’s double and another Kerly strike accounted for Germany 3-1 in the final.
The New Zealand goalkeeper got down smartly saving an original penalty corner move, but Danson was on hand to get enough on the ball to score.
Britain’s Giselle Ansley, right, congrats her teammate Lily Owsley, left, after they beat Netherlands in the penalty shootout, during a women’s field hockey gold medal match.
Helen Richardson-Walsh and Alex Dawson missed GB’s first two only to be rescued by Hinch saves, Sophie Bray then being sent flying by Dutch keeper Joyce Sombroek, allowing Richardson-Walsh to convert the penalty flick.
But three minutes into the final quarter Danny Kerry’s team grabbed the all-important second goal. “You have them at the back of your mind but actually this tournament has been very much about us and the opposition and taking it one game at a time”. The Netherlands only tied once to New Zealand. We believe we can win but we must do our jobs.
Leading scorer Danson prodded in the opener from close range, reacting quickest in a goalmouth scramble as the Black Ferns failed to clear a penalty corner, and Britain protected that lead through to half-time in the face of significant pressure.
Webb, who was a spectator when Britain won London 2012 bronze, imagined she was in a little corner of Berkshire when she stepped up.
Last year, she replaced her ex-husband Maximilian Caldas in the hot seat.
Kate and Helen Richardson-Walsh played in the match against the Netherlands this evening, which led to Team GB winning gold. We’ve got one more to play and we won’t change anything about how we prepare.
Although Britain took the lead in the first quarter, the Dutch came storming back in the second period to lead 2-1.
A tense and topsy-turvy final was forced to penalties before Hollie Webb struck home to win the title and spark wild scenes of celebration. “This whole tournament feels like we are gonna wake up tomorrow and go do our recovery and play another game of hockey”.
Star goalkeeper Maddie Hinch, now world No1, said it was a “huge team effort” against a “fantastic” Dutch team.
His selection for Rio 2016 means he has competed at more Olympic Games than any other Team GB athlete.
“I don’t think I can really put it into words yet”. To get one of these gold medals is special, but to share it with somebody like Kate is truly wonderful’. “When we’re at hockey we are Kate and Helen, hockey players and teammates”, she explained on the eve of the Games.
“I’m so proud of this team. Today he really came good for me”.
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The team also hope they can spark interest in the sport, like when Britain won in Seoul 28 years ago.
