Helen Richardson-Walsh claims she and her Great Britain team mates “always like playing in the rain” following their 3-2 win over Argentina to continue their perfect start to the women’s Olympic competition.
She scored twice in the first half as GB built a 3-0 lead only for the South Americans to fight back and come close to a nicking a draw.
Richardson-Walsh missed a stroke in the second half in an eventful match but she said she was happy her side continued their winning ways.
“Obviously, I am really pleased to get those goals but a bit annoyed to have missed the stroke. Fortunately, it didn’t cost us and hopefully I will save it for a bigger game.”
The fixture had one of the liveliest atmospheres in the stadium to date and Richardson-Walsh really enjoyed the singing and noise generated by the large Argentinean contingent.
“The Argentinean crowd were fantastic and it’s pleasing that they brought a really big contingent. They were getting behind their team but it also kind of lifts us as well.
“They are a really good team and played some really nice hockey towards the end but we will learn some good lessons from this and take it forward to the next round.
“Beating a team like Argentina gives us good confidence. I don’t think we are firing on all cylinders yet but toward the start of the game, it felt pretty comfortable. We can take a lot of confidence from that.
However, with the quarter-finals, anything can happen and hopefully we can build momentum.”
Key defender Laura Unsworth agreed that even though the side let in two goals in the second half, it was a memorable result: “3-2 is still a great result and we’re very happy and looking forward going into the tie with Japan.
“The atmosphere here against Argentina was exactly like when we play them in Argentina. It was phenomenal at times, especially during the anthems when they all started cheering; it really gave you goosebumps and it’s really special to play in this kind of match.”