BBC One: Women's Football: Great Britain v New Zealand Olympics

The City of London. London have won # You shine like gold in the ear of

summer # You shine like gold in the air of summer.

GABBY LOGAN: We are so close now. It's today's until the opening

ceremony Of London Olympics and this morning there torch made its

way through iconic sporting venues as Gordon Banks, one of the heroes

of 66, carried the flame down Wembley Way. But the first event of

the 2012 Olympic games happens in Cardiff and it all starts in less

than 30 minutes' time as Great Britain's women make history as the

first women's team to play in an Olympics and the first sporting

action of the 2012 Games. What a fantastic honour for Hope Powell's

team to kick of the Olympics. With me this afternoon are two of

England's most capped ladies, Faye White and Sue Smith, a regular

pundit for us in the last few seasons. England have made great

strides. Great to have both of you here. Like so many events coming up

in the next two weeks, this match It's a landmark after informing his

football in this country as Hope Powell's side play Great Britain's

first ever competitive match. They will be hoping Kelly Smith cannot

lead Great Britain in the same way she has done in countless times for

England, the record goalscorer. In their way this afternoon are a New

Zealand team who pushed England all the way in a controversial World

Cup encounter last year. A crowd of 40,000 is expected at the

Millennium Stadium this afternoon. Kick-off is just under half an

hour's time. Hope Powell spoke of the kudos of being the first and

the attention this team will garner so can they grasp this opportunity?

We have our commentary team on the ground they at the Millennium

Stadium but we can today at the Olympic Park and I don't believe it

could look any better than it does right now. It's basking in the

third degree heat and have enjoyed in the capital, and it's looking

absolutely stunning. That is our studio from the outside. The

athletics stadium with the opening ceremony is going to be is just

behind me. The Aquatics Centre is just over there. Most of the

athletes village is over their behind Sue Smith. In the distance,

the bellowed drome. You will get used to it in the next two-and-a-

half weeks, I'm sure -- the Velodrome. What an opportunity.

This is the first action of the Olympics. All eyes on Team GB. Hope

Powell has spoken about catching attention for the sport and

hopefully get a generation girls involved. Definitely, I have been

involved for 15 years at the moment like this is what we have been

waiting for. Not only for the players individually but for the

sport in general, to showcase it to the world. But also to inspire a

little girl's who we were once, who just want to play football. There

was politics about why we did not go to Beijing even though England-

qualified. They are not he does because they are Great Britain, the

host nation, but because there are world class side. How far can they

go? Really far for the without wanting to sound a to cliche, they

got to take every game at a time. That is their aim and if they can

get a good quarter-final, that will be fantastic. They have got America,

Brazil, Japan, some fantastic teams here that they have got to try and

beat, but... Unprecedented home support. 40,000. You heard the

figures for the game against Brazil was over 70,000 at Wembley.

record of 76,000, I believe, in a canter. If we could fill Wembley,

and surpass that, it would be unprecedented for a women's

football. Hopefully they would be too nervous about it and they will

use it to improve their performances. This is how the

women's tournament at the Olympics shapes up, then. The USA are

favourites. They have won at three of the four Games since women's

football has introduced in 1996. Three groups of four teams with a

top two in each group and the 8th two best third-placed teams going

to the quarter-finals. The USA will be wary of Japan who won last

year's World Cup final in Germany. Then they repeated it in March this

year. Americans have already won their final qualifying Games with

38 goals scored and none conceded. Great Britain's main rivals will be

Brazil led by five time a player of the year, Marta. After today's game

they will stay in Cardiff for the second match against Cameroon on

Saturday afternoon. With the exception of the Scottish

International's, the squad is the best ever teams are getting to know

which other, it should be quite swift. Jackie has been to see how

nerves, excitement and expectation At the Millennium Stadium in

Cardiff is used to hosting major events but has never witnessed

anything quite like this. For the first time ever, a great Britain's

women's football team embark on their quest for Olympic gold.

never felt as valued as an athlete as we have going to all the hotels,

we have received gifts, cards, you know, the football kit we got was

something I've never experienced before. It's amazing. For me, it's

a lifetime opportunity. Last summer, star player Kelly Smith and her

England team came from behind to beat New Zealand at the World Cup

and in her new autobiography she describes their opponents's rough-

house tactics as pretty dirty. was a bit rough and ready at times.

My personal opinion, the referee did not know that in the bud early

and it was allowed to go on so hopefully we will have a strong

referee this time around and we won't pick up any injuries. It will

be a tough game. They have improved a lot in the last 12 months. We

expect a tough battle. Her most famous moment so far came with

England five years ago at the World Cup in China. They did enough, in

theory, to earn a place in the 2008 Olympics before politics denied

them. It was frustrating when we qualified for reaching the quarter-

finals of the World Cup but found dead, you know, couple of days

after, we qualified for the Olympics and we were buzzing

because we never had that opportunity before. The thought of

going to Beijing and representing Great Britain was an amazing

feeling. But, you know, it was kind of taken away from us and I think

Sweden went in our place. That is in the past now. It was sad at the

time that we have moved on now. We had a great Britain team at the

Olympics, and we have got to embrace it, really, and hopefully,

we will do well and the next Olympics, in four years' time,

there will still be great Great Britain team. Two Scottish players

have added quality to an England squad for the Games. Kim Little and

Iffy Dieke are the new faces. kick it off, the Olympics, and it a

great thing to be part of, but once it starts, it could, and every big

game you always did a bit nervous but it a good thing, not a bad

thing. Once the game starts from the first few minutes, you can

settle down and after that, it should be OK. A lot of the English

girls have played in the World Cups, but for me and Iffy, its daunting

and exciting. I can't wait to get excited. I played with Kim Little

in America by and playing with her for a season, I want to be on her

team because she sees things other players don't and has very

explosive and powerful. She has a great eye for a pass, so I'm glad

she's here. She will definitely help. She will drive us forward.

the captain, it a bit special for you on Wednesday when are you lead

out of the side for the opening up the entire Olympics. No pressure on

you there. No pressure at all! No, it's an honour to walk out leading

the girls on Wednesday. For me, it will be normal, but at the same

time, it will be business when the first ball is kicked. We have to

make sure we do our jobs. Were you have lots of family and friends

there? Yes, they will be there to support and they have been sending

the tax measures to tell me how proud they are of May. That text

messages. She slipped and the captain's armband right at the

retired seamlessly and this is a similar job but this is slightly

different, I wonder what you have been getting about this experience

and have different to England? The use all their that the girls are

trying to take it all in. -- you saw on that of BT, the girls are

trying to take it all in. And mixing with the men in

Middlesbrough. I think they have been doing a few social gains and

things like that. I hear they won the quiz, which was good. Referring

back briefly to Lisa, and that particular game, the World Cup

match you were involved in last year in Germany when it New Zealand

came out of the traps with quite a lot of energy. And dynamism.

Obviously, Kelly was suggesting it was a bit of targeting in that game.

We knew that that was their strength, their fitness and how

hard and physical they are. She said that before the game but Kelly

gets a lot of attention on her because of the player she is. They

know she is a pivotal player for us but you should be used to that of I

saw her ankle after the game and it was black and blue but she carried

on in that tournament, and I'm surprised she could walk on it. She

won for rhetoric to try to protect. And make it a football game rather

than a physical game. That is what New Zealand want to do. They want

to rough up the opposition but I think Team GB can do that as well.

Don't underestimate the rain fitness. They have worked really

hard on the sports science side and I think they will give just as good

as New Zealand will. I think it will be a strong battle today.

on the specifics of team selection in a moment. The great thing about

football in the Olympics could be up to take the Games out of London

and England. The Millennium Stadium is one of six stadiums and Wales

has come out to enjoy the occasion. 40,000 fans will show their support

for Team GB this afternoon at the Millennium Stadium and then they

get a double header because Cameroon and Brazil play straight

afterwards. Jackie has been out and about getting a flavour of the

excitement. It's exciting to have a part of

that in Wales and be a part of it and see the atmosphere. I've never

been to a game before, and if the Olympics as well, so hopefully Team

GB will win. It's a dream come true to see actually England hosting the

Olympics and to be at the Olympics is fantastic. You know what Great

Britain. Great Britain, sorry. fabulous. We would not get an

opportunity to do this, so it's great it has come from this country.

A where have you come from? Birmingham. I was expecting rain

but there's no rain at all. Sunshine. We are a team at BT. --

BG. We are behind Team GB. Just With all the expectation, let's

hope they don't get the heebie- jeebies. Now, you couldn't wish for

more experienced coach to take Great Britain through this

tournament. Hope Powell has been England boss since 1998 and nine

men have held the job England manager. Team GB poses a different

challenge. First of well, you made one change to the team who played

against Sweden on Friday with Karen Carney coming in. It was nothing of

that Ellen White did wrong. Everybody has played well.

Competition for places is fierce. Probably the strongest it has ever

been. She offers more craft. The conditions are going to be hot

today, so undoubtedly there will be some changes at half-time.

Everybody has to be prepared for that but it is a squat thing. A bit

more craft from Karen Carney, a bit more final product and hopefully

she will produce today. It is sweltering out here today. How do

you think it will affect the players? Well, it is the same for

both teams, which is a blessing. I think these are conditions we are

not used to. Since we have been together, this is the hottest day

it has been in the last three days. It's got considerably hotter. We

recognise what it is and we just have to get on with it boss will

hopefully there will be enough water breaks to rehydrate the

players in between. As I said, the conditions, at half-time, there

will be changes. England came from behind to beat New Zealand and the

World Cup nastier. They were very physical in that match. They have

changed the coach since then. What I expecting from them? The a

similar style for that we've looked at them a few times already this

season and they have improved since the World Cup. They will be a tough

physical side. A large part of their game is physicality, they are

well conditioned, it will be tough and they will not let us settle on

the ball. We have to move very quickly. And make them try to chase

it. We have got to be on top of our New line is too early in England,

but as coach of Team GB are starting the entire Olympics, what

is it like? It is great, a real honour, hopefully a lot of people

will come out to support today. The atmosphere has been fantastic. The

coach arrived from the hotel to the stadium, two horses in front, that

was a bit surreal. We are embracing the Olympic spirits, we are glad to

be part of it. It was really funny, it's loaded down, it gave the fans

the opportunity to way to the fans, it was different. We are loving

every moment of it. Good luck. Apparently animals feature in the

cold rain ceremony, so maybe we are We will talk more about the New

Zealand side in a moment, but the 11 which started against Sweden on

Friday at the Riverside, just one change, Karen Carney in for Ellen

White, we will talk about that in a second, but the lady herself, Kelly

Smith, who has come through this year, CBE, a quite dramatic injury.

Their fitness was doubtful a month We desperately wanted her to get

back, she has worked ever so hard, and she is looking fit, sharp. We

watched her in the warm-up game against Sweden, she did not

complete the whole game, but it was a good 70 minutes, which is what we

needed. She can change the game, she is creative, she can score

goals. 45 goals for England, we saw an example on Friday how she will

have a shot from 40 yards out, magnificent power. She is so

confident in her own ability, even coming back from an injury, but she

gives everyone else confidence in the team as well. If you are in the

opposition changing room, if Kelly Smith is in the team, they take a

step back and the focus comes on her. She played well with Kim

Little, it looks like it could be a nice partnership. They are similar

inability on the ball, their vision, their ability to pass to other

players. I cannot wait. They have had a bit of experience playing

around Arsenal, certainly training when Kelly used to come back from

America to train with Arsenal, so they have a good understanding, but

it is about trying to get Kim Little on the ball so Kelly does

not have to drop to deeper into midfield to pick up the ball itself.

She is one of the global stars of the game. Iffy Dieke, one of two

Scottish faces in the line-up, she made a great impression at the

Riverside, she could be a great partnership at the back. I was

really impressed with her, she has come in as a Scottish player. The

majority are English, but she and Casey Stoney have formed a very

good relationship. She is a great defender, quick and very calm with

the ball, and that is what you need, calmness from the back, and that

filters through the ranks. Very briefly, can you see what Hope

Powell is thinking about Karen. she is more tricky, likely to take

players on down the wing, plus she can cut inside and link up with

Kelly and Kim. Ellen is more of a workhorse for the team. Strong

bench, anyway. Let's head to Cardiff to sample the atmosphere

inside the Millennium Stadium, where Jacqui Oatley is pitch-side

with Lucy Ward. Team GB women are opening up the entire Olympics, and

they are having to do it in the baking heat, how will that affect

the nervous? It is incredibly hard, but it will be worse than there,

and add that to the nerves, they are the first athletes of the

London Olympics, and whoever gets used to that first of the dominant

in the game. Nine English in the team, Jay Scots, no Welsh.

Little is used to playing with a lot of these players, and they are

very good, and they both start today, and it shows you how

important they are to the Team GB squad. You were with them in

Dresden when they came from behind to beat New Zealand, what are you

expecting from today? New Zealand want to win and will do anything

they can to stop Team GB's good players, and that is what happened

in Dresden, and that is what will happen today. They have put out a

really physical team. Enjoy the game. Let's remind ourselves of the

Their coach has got a very experienced squad to choose from,

13 on professional contracts. Amber Hearn score the winner when they

overcame China early in the air, which showed the kind of strides

they have been making. She spent time at Arsenal earlier in our

Yes, she was very good for us, she spent about a year before she went

to Doncaster, I think. She did she is very hard running, talk, so very

good in the air, she will be tricky, she will sit behind the front two

for New Zealand. She will be hard to pick up, and it will be Anita

Asante who will have to shoulder her. She will be the main attacking

threat. Hayley Moorwood pays for Chelsea. Yes, she has been captain,

she is not captain today, but she knows her role, has to break the

play down, past the ball out wide, and she will be very influential

for them today. Overall, a dynamic side, the New Zealand team. The

weather may sat a bit of energy, but otherwise we are expecting it

both teams are ready for that, and hopefully they have dehydrating,

because that will be very important. They have been according to their

texts dialogue! Let's get on with it, the first sporting action of

the 2012 Olympic games, let's cross to Cardiff. Lucy Ward and Guy

Mowbray are there, this is as close as you and I are going to get to

saying, led the Games begin, I will let you have the honour. Honour? It

is a word we have heard a great deal as the build-up to the Olympic

Games has intensified, and now they are here. The official opening

ceremony is still two days away, and the honour are being the first

at least to take to the biggest sporting stage of all calls to the

Women footballers of Great Britain and New Zealand. And it is an

honour for South Wales, too. London 2012 is starting in Cardiff, and we

and enjoying what we are about to say, perhaps not so perfect for the

players. They are going to have to take regular breaks to take on a

liquid. It is well above 70 degrees Fahrenheit, and it will be

considerably harder at pitch level in this great ball of a stadium. Of

course, before the action, we will stand and observe the national

# In the bonds of love we meet # Hear our voices, we entreat

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 62 seconds

# Guard Pacific's triple star # Send her victorious

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 62 seconds

people out! We will be hearing the long version throughout the Olympic

Games. You can feel the tension, you could see and hear the nerves

in the voices as those anthems were played, and this is it, this is the

culmination of an awful lot of hard today, Britain normally wear navy

blue, but all in white. New Zealand, who often wear All Whites, are

wearing a familiar New Zealand sporting colour, All Black. For

Englishman, Tony Readings. Hope Powell has been the England coach

for some time and sees it as a great honour that she has been

chosen to take charge of Great States, Kari Seitz, one of the most

experienced women officials anywhere in the world. Veronica

Perez and Marlene Duffy are helping her with the flags. The four

officials from Mexico. This is the Great Britain team making history

as the first great British team to play in the Olympics. If the Dieke

shone in a warm-up match against Sweden on Friday. Karen Carney

comes in, she is the one change, Ellen White is on the substitutes

it ramps up an extra notch. In terms of previous Olympic

experience, it is very much advantage New Zealand. Only two of

the starting line-up were not involved in Beijing four years ago,

Hannah Wilkinson scored in the World Cup in Germany last year.

Gregorius put them ahead against an England side that featured the bulk

of Team GB. Hayley Moorwood plays in Chelsea. Ria Percival is

English-born and only moved to the other side of the world in her

teens. Tony Readings move out to New Zealand in 2003, first to play

professionally for North Shore United, then to take up teaching,

and very quickly to take up a post with the New Zealand Football

Association, and he has risen up through the ranks. He took over

from fellow Englishman John Herdman only last year. You will also see

him at his Olympic Games as the ball, the Albert! That is the name

of it. Robert Ashworth from Derbyshire, one of over 12,000

suggestions from the public, Albert this heat. They will want to get it

two weeks of unmissable sporting endeavour. You may not think of

football first in the Olympics, but these players do. Women's

international football, this is even bigger than the World Cup. An

open air competition and a chance to be a gold medal Olympian at the

international football, it should not worry her too much. Lucy is

alongside me, as ever, for these big international football

occasions. New Zealand are looking dangerous. There could be a chance

early on it. The Team GB defenders combine to keep out Hannah

Wilkinson. Are they have so much experience through their team.

they do. And this is a massive occasion. I'm taking deep breaths

when I watched them sing the national anthem because it's a

nervous occasion, so they have got to get rid of those pretty quickly

because they want to start the Olympics with a victory. Hayley

Moorwood, who captained the New Zealand team at the last Olympic

Games. Iffy Dieke. Hannah Wilkinson went in there. Perhaps that the

first sign of the physical nature of New Zealand's play. That's what

Kelly player -- Kelly Smith was talking about. Yes, Hannah

Wilkinson is taller than the two Team GB centre halves, and they

will want to use that to get the Zealand. Eniola Aluko has got pace

to burn. Percival. Wilkinson, to herself the last World Cup by

scoring a 2-2 draw against Mexico to see it New Zealand's first ever

point at the finals. You get a sense that the nerves are with Team

GB, and so they should beat. They are in Wales, and New Zealand have

come to spoil the party and they will be focused on that. There is

no pressure on them at all, in their eyes. Kicks at half way. A

little touch on the Amber Hearn, which sends it to the ground. And a

yellow card straight away. Let's see what the locals make of that.

If you said that stand at three minutes, you have got to go through

with it. I suspect we will see a lot of yellow cards in this game. I

don't know whether, I don't think it is meant by a Anita Asante day

but for the rest of the game she has got to be really careful. --

Anita Asante. A Great Britain player gets her name taken first.

Riley. It is put wide of. It was an opportunity for Amber Hearn, who is

the leading goal threat in the New Zealand team. A great ball in and

she was arguing that perhaps it could be a corner to New Zealand,

but it may have come of her last. It's great for New Zealand. Good

work by ports and to defend, just enough to put her off. -- Stephanie

that time. Team GB need to relieve a little bit of pressure on the

back four. The two midfielders are feeling nervous, as they should do.

The other team are having to get through quite a bit of defending in

the early stages. Judging by what we saw in their final game, against

Sweden, at the Riverside Ground last Friday, it's the real strength

of the team. 0-0 draw against the strongly fancied Swedes. They did

really well on Friday to defend. Not so great going forward. But you

can look at that. The key thing is you keep a clean sheet in Games

like this. Purser ball. Cheers from from Kirsty Yallop. Riley again,

who was a doubt for the game last week at an ankle problem. She was

passed fit to play. An important player. Twice voted women's player

of the year. The formation using and applying it, the diamond in

midfield, is really difficult to pick up for Team GB and it's not

flexible which means players can pick the ball up between the lines

of play. Great ball from Riley. It came off Amber Hearn. It was left

to to Dieke to put it out. Amber Hearn is looking a real threat for

New Zealand. They are looking a real threat, New Zealand. Team GB

have got to be up for that. Kim not the execution of the pass.

encourages his team to pass the ball round. This system lends

itself to that. They started off very, very well. They have got the

Blackshirts on and will be the heart of the two teams. We talked

about who would adapt quickest to the heat. New Zealand, so far.

Heading towards Sarah Gregorius, who is allowed to turn and is then

stopped in their tracks by Casey Stoney. Difficulty getting the ball

away, and making sure it stays away. Hope Powell is ushering her players

forward. Back it comes with Amber Hearn. Backtracking from Jill Scott.

Now Eniola Aluko, who likes to play one way, looking forward down up

Steph Houghton. Lost the ball initially to Hayley Moorwood. This

is the strong at looking Wilkinson, trying to leave Dieke behind. Sarah

Gregorius is in the centre. Casey fortunate not to have her name

taken. The referee waved her hand over her pocket as if she is going

to do that. For the good of the game, we don't want to see many

yellow cards, particularly in the herself and she ran into that.

Nothing there. Scott. I think, already, we have seen more of the

field in midfield than the entire game against Sweden on Friday, Kim

Little. She takes the game and she's a quality player. I'm sure we

will see the best of her in the game under control. Back to Jenny

Bindon, 39 years old from the Zealand. There is hope for me yet!

Steady on. I have to take up goalkeeping first. I was going to

save. Given away. Given away cheaply. They rather got away with

it. The ball comes back from Katie anticipating what she was going to

do before making sure she took possession of the ball. Casey

Stoney, that's a good ball out to Scott. Possession is back with New

Zealand, in the form of Amber Hearn. country. Not Wales, of course, that

England, with Arsenal and Doncaster. It's a similar style of play. It's

a good game for Team GB to start with because it's a similar style

to what we would expect in this country. New Zealand are tough

competitors. Athletic, as well. Abbey Erceg. In the last World Cup,

we watched England play against New Zealand and I remember as remarking

on what a total team New Zealand were. You look at set-pieces, what

is happening, Steph Houghton is not that small but in that New Zealand

I have player after player who was 5 ft 10, by put 11, and six feet.

In the women's game, that's told, and it a distinct advantage. Karen

temperatures, that there would players to keep on running under

pressure. That would just be wasted energy. Wasted energy. They have

got a game plan they will stick to New Zealand. Picking it up there is

one of them. Good tackle from Dieke. Eniola Aluko, for her liking, she

has spent far too much time basing her own goal so far. That smell

like good ball that Kelly Smith, who has not been in the game. She

has a chance to fire one up over to Rachel Carmaine. Rebecca smith

tried to stop there, but couldn't. That is what Kelly Smith can do.

Much better for Team GB. It raises the crowd as well, and gives the

team confidence. A great first touch by a Eniola Aluko but great

defending. When Kelly Smith gets the ball, something seems to happen.

It does for England and it looks like it will fall off the Great

Britain team. Kim Little's Little. Casey Stoney not able to hit it

first time and goes around the long wait round to put it in. A great

pearl by Casey Stoney to put it in it. -- a great ball. She just

needed somebody to put themselves on the end of it. Kelly Smith could

not quite get it. Now Kim Little. Great Britain's best speller the

match by far, to some distance. In the crowd, the noise level rises.

The shot sales high and wide. That's what Team GB needed. Be

brave, seize the moment of this game thought of as soon as you get

into the New Zealand half, you can see Eniola Aluko's speed but it did

not match the quality of the build- up, but it livened the crowd and

the girls will have more confidence. She has seen it these days, good

boy, as a wide player rather than a last few years, Kelly Smith has

scored more than anybody else but the goals have been spread around

the team through midfield and attack. Yes, that is good for the

team. It creates goals as well as scoring them. Kim Little on the

ball now. Rachel Carney to the feet of Jill Scott. Cleared by a or pub.

They seem to have got over the nerves of the first few minutes,

the host nation -- cleared by a Abbey Erceg. Here is Sarah

Gregorius. A good tackle by Steph Houghton. I've got the feeling, we

will be saying that a lot as the tournament progresses. She is a

strong player. Not on her strongest side, but athletic and a defence

very well. It's a big occasion, though both sets of players,

particularly in your home country. I think that has got to play as

part in the first 50 minutes. It was always going to. Tony played

for a FC but then, when the club rose from the ashes of the former

Wimbledon. He was actually captain of the first ever competitive game.

He combined Counties Premier. That career on the other side of the

touchline for himself in New Zealand. I bet he did not know

which and then to sing. Jill Scott's long legs got on the end of

that, as the same time as Hoyle stretched for it. The referee is a

free-kick, I'm not sure, but take it. I am sitting on the fence.

was the angle of attack which she objective to, nothing wrong with

goalkeeper think and made a mistake! Nobody in the Centre for

Great Britain. Kelly Smith realised that, she was having to hang on to

it, and in the end she caught the heels of Ali Riley. That is why it

is a free kick to New Zealand. Eight great break by Team GB, I

caught the keeper would come out earlier, she was caught in two

minds. Fantastic defending, got her body in front of Kelly Smith. In

the end, she gave away a free-kick. Kelly Smith, 111 England games, 45

goals in those. The highlight of her career to date came at the

World Cup in China in 2007 when she of New Zealanders wearing the

herself, but it is better where it is now, good defending. Now they

the referee has seen that. Ria Percival was the culprit. Kim

Little is having a word about it. If the referee had not given a

yellow card, nobody would be complaining about these free kicks.

But strong challenges since have not seen the production of a yellow

card. New line one-for-three at the start of a game. -- you like one

for free. She should have kicked somebody up in the air in the first

foul count is mounting, Jill Scott that time. No surprise to see her

name taken at some point during as she would have wanted. You could

see what she was trying to do, but she will be a thorn in the side for

the centre halves of Team GB. Karen Bardsley did well, stayed on a line,

it is deflected behind, Great Britain corner. Alex Scott is so

effective when she gets a chance to burst into the opposition penalty

some people may have gone down for. She managed to get the ball across,

will be able to keep the pressure on. The referee looked like she

in favour of Team GB, give the Steph Houghton shoot from distance

of action was to palm it behind. I do not know whether it was on

target, but the goalkeeper did not want to take any chances at will.

Well, Steph Houghton, one of the best strikers of the ball in this

Watt. I am not sure, that might have sneaked in, that is good

goalkeeping. Good pressure by Team Eniola Aluko. Looking for an

opportunity to throw it in with the Bindon, cleared by Rebecca Smith.

She was on the floor, and she got up quickly to parry the shot from

Eniola Aluko, which was hit pretty pressure, you have got to hit that

for some time, an American by birth, from Illinois, but she married a

Kiwi, her husband Grant used to be the captain of the New Zealand

volleyball team. Tall children, -- crosses. She is happy to let

little bit in the last 10 minutes or so. It has been great to watch

in terms of the momentum blowing to each team, and the team under

pressure looks nervous, whether it is New Zealand or Team GB. Whoever

is on top, they can make simple attempt to win the ball back.

is a big girl, difficult to get Anita Asante has got to watch their

step. She brushed into the back of Hayley Moorwood. A player like that,

she feels a touch on outback, an absolute sharp! You do not know

what the referee is going to do. She has got to be careful. The last

thing that Team GB want is to be playing with 10 players in this

she was sent off against England in 2008. She was captain of the New

looking to aggravate Anita Asante a little bit, because he can do

things to players who are on yellow cards to try to provoke more

reaction. But she is cool, calm and collected, Anita Asante. She will

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 62 seconds

get wound up, but she needs to be end, she was just making sure it

went right the way across the face. It was not likely to reach Eniola

Aluko. The keeper got a touch. Good play from Kelly Smith. To get into

that position, you think you're just in front of goal and you may

score, not good enough there. Excellent running by Alex Scott.

Much has been made, Lucy, of how British players would react to

playing in front of crowds is big on their home turf, but it is worth

remembering that most have played at the last couple of World Cups,

European Championships. They have experienced the crowds. The Chinese

crowd was so loud that it was unbelievable, so these girls are

used to it. They need to harness the nose and the energy from the

ground and bring it into the game. They will start to do that once the

initial bid is over and they do what they do naturally. The crowd

has been getting behind the home team. There will be some

disappointment that there are no Welsh players involved,

particularly in midfield and the striker who will be aggrieved that

they did not make the cut. Hope Powell made it clear that she was

picking face election regardless of the country's, it was all down to

ability. -- a selection regardless weekend as women's player of the

year for 2011. That is obviously a real honour for her, she has read

her country very well, a strong, physical centre half. Another one

born in the US, California. Player of the year for 2011. They were on

started. We have not had the first goal of the women's football

tournament yet. It has been a very decent watch. New Zealand started

the brighter of the two teams, but Great Britain have got themselves

back into it and arguably threatened that little bit more.

They have had the more obvious chances, nothing clear cut but New

Zealand look threatening going forward, and that is key for the

defenders of Team GB. Here is Smith, who liked the build up,

though. Similar to Friday, the way you play with Kelly Smith, you get

it in front of her, get it to her feet. Running on two balls like

that does not really suit hair game. 33 now, and increasingly we have

seen her play in the Kim Little role behind the main striker, but

now back to being the main striker for what may be her international

swansong. She has been a terrific player over the years, but Kim

Little has been very effective, and now we need Kelly further forward,

but you have got to give her the 22, Abbey Erceg. That's ridiculous.

That's like playing every week. It's a good experience, though.

did not deceive Dieke. Clever play. A little header by Casey Stoney.

Good build up. She had to let it through her legs but a little

harder by Casey's donor. Thank for the goalkeeper came out, I'm sure.

New Zealand have come so far, having taken over from Australia as

the leading team from that part of the world, Australia playing the

Asian section of international competitions, they beat the USA in

Dallas in February. It was Tony Readings first game in charge.

There is always a story, isn't there? To get that close to the USA,

they were favourites for this Olympic tournament. It's pretty

good and shows how far they have have got to move the ball quicker

in the final third. She was surrounded by New Zealand defenders

and did not know what to do next. Kelly Smith needs to put the ball

in the box because there were players there who will score.

problem for stage just -- a problem there for Sarah Gregorius. All six

foot one of her. You get the feeling she is frustrated but other

players in the team are not on her level. Yes, she wanted the ball

earlier. Good play by the New Zealand back four. She needed that

ball earlier. And then did not expected when it came to her.

leader. She moved to Germany after impressing after the World Cup in

Germany a year ago. A great name, as well. Here is Abbey Erceg.

Straight into Anita Asante. Kim Little helped it on that for Eniola

Aluko. Smith waits in the centre. This is off the post. The closest

we have come. Anita Asante, nearly made history. He should decide

quickly what is going to do. Just get the post of. Everybody here

thought it was going to go in. She ended up with a clear header, Anita

Asante. A little kiss for the post. Thank you very much. She scored one

goal in 50 by Games for England and became over seven years ago. Yes,

but her name was in lights there. -- -- he scored one goal in 55

Games for England. I don't think she will get a better chance than

that. She won't. She did well. She got it towards goal and that's what

you can expect. Just a little bit keep it. She did really well.

that has given Eniola Aluko a buzz as well. When she gets going, she's

very difficult to catch. She has added a few extra % to a game today.

The Olympics has arrived. She was trying to arrive with it. That is a

peach of a pass. Alex Scott. Jill work the corner and she has got it.

Yes, nothing Scott could do. But she has got something on it. And

that's positive. Heroine of the hour for England against New

Zealand in the World Cup last year. position in this one for Team GB.

In the six-yard box. Kelly Smith's contested. A great little ball into

the near post. But Steph Houghton is a good header of the ball. Let's

Anita Asante. She has had a better one. That one, really should have

been taken. She tried to get it. Tried to change the direction of

the ball then but all she needed to do was to get her head firmly on it.

Oh, just over the bar. Would you believe it? Two golden chances for

Great Britain and they have fallen to the same player, a player who

scores only in a blue moon. She got herself on to it but look at it.

Casey Stoney was going through the motions. I think Anita Asante had

every right to go for it. Yes, you don't wait for somebody else, just

in case they don't. Good effort. ball had a bit of check on it. It

was nice for her. You can't beat Casey Stoney for skill. The captain

is a little bit too wily to be Riley. Here is Smith. All the way

stuff there. Alex Scott inside. She shoots and only just Mrs! Across

the face of goal again. Great Britain coming close again. It's a

good club their all into Alex Scott but I don't know whether she should

have trusted her left foot and had a go. It was always moving away

from goal, the ball. She will never school a better goal than the one

she is good for Arsenal in the UEFA Cup final against Sweden a few

years ago. Dig that run out on the internet if you can have. She has

got a good left foot, as well, which is why I am so surprised she

Scottish players have a fit in with this largely England side

representing Team GB, seamlessly. Yes, they are good quality players.

Jill Scott is starting to get involved a little bit more. Back

got to make the most of this. just thinking that now is the time

to score because the momentum it will shift back to New Zealand at

some point are doing this game but when you're on top, you have to get

this important goal. Reilly was unlucky to slice the ball behind. A

corner has already been taken. Alex Scott, another good shot. It is

Anita Asante again have. She could have had a hat-trick. She has not

got anything. I can see her there, as the ball came across, she was

determined to get on the end of it, but did not get the right

connection. She headed the ball into the direction she was facing.

She is smiling. She will take an awful lot of ribbing at half-time.

Yes, she's never usually in opposition but she has agreed

chances. She's played centre-back for so much of her career. She has

played in midfield for England before and four club sides, playing

in cerise and -- in Sweden with the Gothenburg team. Andy Riley. She

They are all very well set-up and well run leagues. These girls

appear a lot on the world stage. They are wanted by the best leagues

in the world. It's a shame about the USA league but it has been

positive there the other leagues in play. There is extra confidence

about it as the game has gone on. Yes, a lot more energy. Karen

Carney has got involved more. Kim Little is making those runs from

midfield. It's great for them to hear the support of the crowd.

Eyebrows were raised that the game is in Wales and has not won Welsh

player in the squad, but many have travelled here and locals have come

as well. We saw the queues added ticket office when we arrived and

the interest is here, all right, real excitement. Jenny Bindon held

on well. New Zealand will be very, very happy to going to half-time

goalless. Yes, they started of the better of the two teams but Team GB

have got a lot stronger and if they go in at half-time having not

scored, a lot of disappointment there. You have got to take your

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 62 seconds

draws the free kick. A yellow card for the New Zealand striker. I

think it's rather harsh. It is harsh. Dieke was earned an

excellent position. Casey Stoney went in for the ball, waiting for

it. Yes, it was a foul, but there was nothing there, really. She was

just frustrated she get the ball go. You have got to be allowed to

Rebecca who had to take that course of action. Anita Asante scored a

rare goal last Tuesday against Colombia. New Zealand played two

Games in Switzerland as part of their preparations balls of they

lost to Canada but big the Colombian's. -- but they beat the

A lot of ideas going are far side. She did not really have anyone to

recycle the ball with and get it the end of the first half. New

Zealand will be happy for that to and Karen Bardsley got into a mess

When it came back, she had delayed too long. It looked as though she

was taking everybody on. Great play down the left-hand side, but just

as the keeper went, she could have way wide, and that will about do it

for the first half. All the good chances have gone to the British

side. Anita Asante has had three opportunities, hitting the post

with one. And Kim Little may be just taking the wrong option when

her big moment came. Your thoughts. I think it was a good half, it

ended well for Team GB, but a couple of chances got away. Anita

Asante will not let that worry her, she is not a sort of player, but

she has come the closest to any player of scoring in this opening

match of the London 2012 Olympic Indeed she has, and her hair which

gait the post was just one of many She kisses the post, the key venue

she got away with that a few times. We'll have a look at those chances.

Your overall impression of the first half and Great Britain or's

start to the Olympic Games. thought we were quite nervous and

if anything New Zealand had more possession and were in our half a

lot more, but as the game has gone on, and as we have had a few

chances, the players have relaxed and started finding each other's

feet in their passing, and also it gives confidence, and they are

going on to make more chances. got the sense of the occasion all

the sudden when you saw Kelly Smith, a veteran for England, a record

goalscorer, the power of the emotion of the day taking over.

think that just epitomises what it means to all the players. Obviously,

Kelly has been through a lot to get here, through injury and everything,

and it shows what it means to the players. Perhaps it did overwhelm.

I think it showed in the first 10 or 15 minutes, but they grew into

it, the confident starter to get better, we started to create

chances and started looking dangerous. We will look at his

header in many ways, a sad day got a booking early on, and we thought

about the tetchiness of the encounter in the World Cup. --

Anita Asante. Perhaps the referee was marking her card early on,

telling her the behaviour she expects. Probably so, she may be

nervous herself, but I think it was quite harsh, and New Zealand have

made a couple of challenges which have gone unpunished. It does not

seem to be that kind of game, so it has settled and become more about

the play, rather than the challenges. Anita Asante, let's

have a look at some of the many chances that have fallen to her.

Eni Aluko's good work has been consistent and led to the first

three great opportunities. She has given Percival a torrid time in the

first half, an experienced defender, who plays for Frankfurt and has 60

odd caps. It is good that she is up in these positions. I think

everyone knows that she is not well known for her heading ability, but

she is getting herself into positions, and that is positive,

something she can work on. It is a nice run. She attacks the ball

really, really well. It is unfortunate. Jenny Bindon may be

there for the taking, some dubious decision-making. I do not think she

has been very commanding, she has sat back a little bit and allowed

Team GB to get there before she does not look as confident as she

so. A She is not a massive, imposing keeper, so you can see

that they're trying to put pressure on her, tall players to cause

problems, because she is not that imposing. The pressure mounted on a

from Team GB as the half went on. Aluko created that first had a

opportunity, and she had a good chance. Yeah, Eni Aluko has been

the player of the half for mane. Both full-backs have done well, but

she got herself in a good position, she has got four off by New Zealand

players to beat, there was nowhere for her to put the ball, but she

has had a fantastic car and has to take a lot of positives from that.

That is what you want from a striker, for it to drop down and

for her quickly to get the power behind it and put it on target, but

obviously bodies were in the way. Steph Houghton getting at there as

well. Yes, she had a free kick, good technique and the dead ball. I

do not know if it was going to go in, may be hit the post, but the

keeper had to make sure. She can certainly strike them from that

distance, it is a good effort. can just see it turning onto the

post, it was a good effort, and that is what she has got, that

ability to do free kicks like that. It fell to Alex Scott nicely, and

Guy Mowbray suggested she should have attempted this with her left

foot, but to both SEN no, she did the right thing, the left foot is

not an option for her. She has admitted that herself. All first

half, she has got thought a lot, and there is a lot of space down

the wing, and she is a player that Froggatt fought a lot more than

staff, because she is more comfortable on the right foot. --

that will get forward. You never know what can come from that, like

Lucy said, it was drifting away from the goal. Because New Zealand

are plain that diamond formation in the middle, there is a lot of space

out wide. Aluko getting just before half-time and plays Kim Little a

lovely ball, the timing would have been perfect. Absolutely perfect,

just before half-time, we were screaming for them to score. She

has caused personal all sorts of trouble, a nice ball behind, and we

were surprised she did not go for that herself. You watch her week in,

week out for Arsenal, and she would have taken that. She was a little

bit unselfish. You can see the keeper and making her mind up early,

and Kim would normally show that you are going to go that way and

maybe think it over. But I am a centre-half! Dieke looked so

comfortable, slotting right in there against the Sweden on Friday,

and she has had some stellar moments. She has looked really

strong, composed with the ball in possession, and I have got the

impression from speaking to some of the girls that she gives them

confidence and is very assured. She is very quick, and that is her main

asset, that she can cover the ground quickly and get her body in

the way. But here, she has been very impressive, she has fitted

into that spot very well. She always seems to be around tidying-

up, and she has found AGB player every time. Confidence is growing,

you can see the goal coming. I do, Hope Powell must be sane, take

confidence from that, you have create chances, you just need to

score. It is important that we take the chances. I am sure she will say,

it is positive, but I am not happy, we should be up, because those

chances do not come around. You have to take your chances at this

level. Tomorrow it is the turn of Stuart Pearce's men, who had a

sobering experience at the Riverside when a very young Brazil

side came into town. Integrating 18 men who have never played before

with varying degrees of international experience has been a

tough but exciting challenge. Garth Crooks has been inside the camp as

they head into their opener against Team GB faced a tough beginning at

Middlesbrough in their only pre- tournament friendly. It ended in

defeat, but there were positives. Stuart Pearce believes his side

will benefit from facing the team he sees as the best in the

competition. In all honesty, whoever beats Brazil in this

tournament and finishes above them will have a gold medal around their

neck. But football is football, the next time we get the opportunity to

play them hopefully will be the semi-final at the earliest, or the

final, if we are good enough to get heir. We will be better prepared.

The coach now has the luxury of a fully fit squad to choose from and

their captain making his competitive Great Britain debut in

familiar surroundings. Yeah, it estrange, going onto the pitch not

as the United player, playing in front of United players. It is

different, but a challenge am looking forward to. I am really

enjoying it. First and foremost, going to be training camp,

preparing in a different way than you would with your club. I cannot

wait for the tournament to start. There will be a few that will come

out of his better players, and it might serve England well, I am not

sure, but I hope both countries come out of it with a legacy of

better players. I think all 18 individuals build benefit from

being here for two and a half weeks, they have worked with us and beyond

that into the tournament. Senegal in Manchester, a tough

opening test for this embryonic side. The first men's Olympic team

to represent Great Britain since 1960 is very much a leap into the

unknown. How they will fare depends on how they perform at the Theatre

of dreams tomorrow night. We have seen a lot of Senegal, I was

fortunate enough to go to their final play-off game and saw them

qualify to get here, and lo and behold the next day they were in

our group. They are a big site, very athletic, can counter-attack

very quickly at you. But we feel as though we have got and if to give

them a good game. Obviously, we need to start well, but if you're

going to do well in a tournament, you need to get better with each

game. I only ever prepare 18 to win, nothing less. So we are prepared,

ready for action, and now are we going to be good enough to get out

of the groove, to go beyond that? I am not sure, but I think we will

grow as a group together, and I think the country will grow behind

us as well, so I am looking forward to it. You have to hit the ground

running in at first game, and from there you take it on the chin as it

comes. Gary Lineker, Alan Hansen and Robbie Savage will be here

tomorrow at 7 o'clock with an hour's build-up to the kick-off at

Old Trafford. Some other Olympic news now, and we are come to hear

from Charles van Commenee, who has been talking to Joe was there that

the controversy surrounding Phillips Idowu's injury. If I said

Phillips Idowu te right now, what would your reaction be? Well, it is

not something to laugh about, in fact. He is not here. I wish he was

here. Because I think this is the best place to prepare. His coach is

here, our best medical team is here, and all the athletes are here, so

slightly frustrated with that. At the same time, I feel sympathy as

well, because he is not in the greatest place from which to have

the most important moment in his athletic life. And you never wished

that to any athlete, certainly not an athlete who is one of our big

names in his own town. Just as you say, Charles, this is where the

preparation can is, this is part of your meticulous training, and there

are good reasons for you to be here with your elite athletes. It seems

strange that he will not come. Is there a breakdown in trust or

something? Yes, obviously! Otherwise he would have been here.

Yeah, but you know, that is a one- way thing. But it is his decision.

I have basically one sanction, I could withdraw his entry to the

Games. Obviously, are not going to do that, because I do not want to

take that away from him, nor from the crowd, and if things work out

for him, it could still be a great moment for the Olympics and for

himself. Right now, do you expect him to be competing in the

Olympics? I do not expect anything. I have no details about his

physical state since one week. is a very difficult position for

you to being as the head coach, to not know. Yeah, obviously, it is

not right, but there's very little that I can do about it. I can, I

can decide, you are not welcome! But I do not think that is the

right thing to do this year, in this particular time so close to

the Games. It is his choice, and we will see whether it is the right

Earlier we showed you Gordon Banks of the Olympic flame at Wembley.

The torch relay is a subject of a very emotive special programme

tonight. Incredible. I know what the Queen feels like now. Wonderful.

Marvellous. I'm out of breath. I've We are British and will come out in

whatever the weather. What makes it special is people getting behind it.

Just mind-blowing. I loved it. Britain's Olympic torch story

recapture some other memorable moments from the torches 70 day

journey across the country and tells the inspirational stories of

the people who have carried it up. That is tonight, BBC One at 7:30pm.

The second half in Cardiff is about to happen but it's not the only

event under way. Last year's World Cup finalists are just about the

kick-off, Japan entertaining Canada in Coventry. And the USA hosting

France in Hampden Park. They are on the BBC's Board website and the red

button. A promising ended the first half for Team GB. That's the way we

want them to play going forward. Sniffing out any opportunities.

they got to continue with that momentum. They didn't want the

half-time whistle to blow because they were gradually getting better

and better and they just need a goal and I think that will settle

them down. We don't want to start looking for permutations. Brazil is

the final group game. You want to pick up some points before then.

The opening game you want to win it. You want a cushion so you can be

more relaxed in the second game. At the end of the first up, they will

be aggrieved we're did not get a few goals already. It's vitally

important because we know we can beat New Zealand. It's a massive

stage for so anything can happen. We are good enough and we have to

take these opportunities and go forward. So we don't have to chase

a result against Brazil. Ahead of the match, there were a lot of

people outside the stadium who could not get in because a very

tight security. I did know it is it fill up a bit. A word of warning

for you if you are tickets, to get there in time and soak up the

atmosphere. This is a double header because Cameroon and Brazil play

afterwards so a very special afternoon of football in Cardiff.

It shouldn't be a problem for the England team, certainly, who have

played against teams at a World Cups and world championships.

they are used to it to these kinds of occasions. You block things out

and focus on of football and what you have to do as a team, so that's

what I think they will be doing. There's more cheering when you are

attacking mouthfuls of in Germany last year against France, there

were boos and hisses. When you are in it, you tend not to hear the cry

because you are so focused. noticed as well, a shadow on the

pitch has developed somewhat. There is only a ten-metre strip which is

now basking in the sunlight. Let's get on with the second half and

over which was richly deserved and hopefully the players made the most

of it. I can't stress to you how warm it is, particularly at pitch-

side in Cardiff this early evening. Great Britain make the first change

at the start of the second half. worked really hard and played

really well in the first 45 minutes. We will try to discover for you

whether it was a tactical or Kim Little was a feeling the effects of

the heat or picks up an injury. Ellen White is on it. She can play

wide, or through the middle as a striker. I think that is where she

would go up. The main striker, the number 9, Kelly Smith perhaps

dropping in behind her. In her number 10 role. This Great Britain

team, there's quite a few permutations available for the

coach, Hope Powell. Despite withstanding a battering in the

first half, he has decided to entrust the second half to the same

group of players is kicked off things an hour ago. Ellen White is

more of a natural number 9 than Kelly Smith is. I think we will see

the ball going to her feet a lot more. And she will pass the ball

more to Eniola Aluko and Kelly Smith. She has not got the throw-in

she is cheekily suggesting she should have got. Ali Riley can't

believe she even had the cheek to ask for it. Alex Scott. Sliced it

out of play by Katie Hoyle. looks like Hope Powell has gone for

two up front, and it will be different, a little bit deeper for

Kelly Smith to cope with that diamond of a New Zealanders. It was

working in the first half. I wonder if anything is wrong Kim Little or

just want to put a big centre- forward up. Before the match, she

said he was always going to make a change in these conditions at half-

time. Iffy Dieke as a bugle to express to Karen Bartlett as to why

she was left to do that herself. the chance to threaten in the first

half. Great Britain had seven chances. And they had chances for

most of them. New Zealand, as we pointed out, have height in their

team. The delivery is cleared by a the ball but the whistle has

already gone. A free kick for New Zealand. What Kelly Smith was

trying to do is stop the ball going past her. It didn't touch a player

but the referee saw the intent. Now New Zealand have a free kick in a

typical position for Team GB but a good position for them. The club

great position for the Football Ferns. She was trying to block but

at Ford of movement in football these days is not deemed acceptable.

looking to tee up to Amber Hearn to about it. It didn't look like she

was expecting it up. Well wide in the end. Another good striker of

the ball. You have got to put them on target if you worry forward.

have you ever come up against Amber Hearn in England? I think I did at

one point. She is big and physical. their of Hannah Wilkinson. She was

yellow-carded for a similar offence in the first half. Really

disappointing if you get sent off in this game. It's not a game for

sending off. There's not particularly been that many tackles

to warranty yellow-card which have happened. Hayley Moorwood. She

knows most of the Great Britain where could she go? Doncaster?

Birmingham. The possibly. Your Great Britain, 0. New Zealand, zero.

The opening game of the women's tournament of London 2012, the

Olympic Games have started. The excitement has risen steadily,

hasn't it? A it's great. excited. I can't imagine what it's

like to play for the it must be unbelievable. Are they have settled

into his first game. They will to play Brazil on Saturday in a

double-header. Great Britain face Brazil next Tuesday as Brazil

and was having to look an awful lot backwards to find it. She needs it

team mates with her. She is similar to Ellen White, the way she plays.

Casey Stoney stood up very, very well, but you have got to have won

a good team mates up there. It is hot down there. It is still

stifling. The stadium, as magnificent as this, it is a heat

goalkeeper missed it. It did not miss the far post by much. It is a

great bosom corner. Having a right footer on his left back, Steph

Houghton, it would have gone straight in. Abbey Erceg got her

corner. Abbey Erceg again in the thick of it for New Zealand. It did

look ball to hand. It's difficult for the referee to make a decision

where they left off in the first. Pressure on New Zealand. I think

one of the messages from a Hope Powell is to push the game on 15

yards, so they put New Zealand under pressure and it looks like

they have done that. They have kept Just think, as a team, Lucy, the

Great Britain team we saw on Friday, OK, it was a warm-up match against

Sweden, but I think every member of the team has performed better than

me on Friday. They have risen to the occasion. A number of factors.

You do not want it injured before a big tournament and but always in

the minds of players. Power experience has given an extra 50%.

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 62 seconds

get the ball away from Jill Scott. Great covering by Steph Houghton.

You can see what she was trying to do, slipping the ball in and she

Great Britain turning their dominance into goals, will start to

test a few nerves? I don't just mean in the crowd! I think it will.

He wants to win comfortably so that you do not get nervous. At 0-0,

you'll see what happened at the start up the game, a few misplaced

passes. That so we get a goal New Zealand from their final third,

a shot like that, but still by Riley, importantly for New

Zealand. -- Block. The ball sat up nicely for Alex Scott, but that is

great covering by the full-back. They are defending very, very well,

New Zealand. If you are going to keep a clean sheet, you have got to

be compact, and then back four is very compact. Credit to the coach

and the back-up staff, because they do not really have to defend much

to trouble Bardsley in the Great Britain goal. That is something to

think about, it is the reason that Australia left the OSE, with the

greatest respect to some of the smaller nations in that part of the

world, they only have to play two games to qualify for the Olympics,

they beat Papua New Guinea 7-0, which does not prepare you for the

likes of USA and Brazil. playing at a high-level oil clung

does prepare you, so you have just got to draw on that experience as

well. -- for your club. The full- backs always attacking, and they

could be missed because of the way they play the diamond in midfield,

but they have played so far in this game. -- a risk. Boss-eyed, she has

only just found out about it. -- offside. Only four of the starting

line-up do not play in Europe, and one of those... In fact, only three

of them, one who plays for Chelsea has gone off and made way for Betsy

Hassett, who was expected to start. She plays in America where she is a

student at the University of California Berkeley. A nice bit of

sun cream on her cheeks as well, she is the palest of the pale.

Zealand schools snowboarding Champion, where the weather is a

bit different. But in California in trying to win the ball back. --

filed. The last thing that some of these forward players want is the

ball that far in front have them in Ms heat. The Sun has moved off the

Blatter has come to lend his support. Support for the women's

game has grown from him, after some rather misguided comments a few

years ago. He was in attendance at the last World Cup in Germany and

the European Championships in Finland in 2009. I think he has got

time. Katie Hoyle read the danger. Quite a few players have slipped, I

do not know whether they have watered the pitch a lot because of

the recent hot weather. Quite a few of the players have slipped,

she decided she was going to go for it and she was firm in their

a regular game in the England team. Ellen White is going to do it all

by herself. She was through for Great Britain but not finding the

target, brilliant New Zealand defending, they came back with pace,

and it was Ali Riley who kept it 0- 0. Great ball by Kelly Smith, just

deciding when to pull the trigger, and it was a little bit too late,

but what grates defending. When you have got a full-back as quick as

it is a Great Britain free-kick. Now is the time to score, wouldn't

you say? Such is the confidence here, near it -- never mind Kelly

Smith, Steph Houghton has come across to grab the ball and tee it

up. I think seniority will win in this one, but you never will stop

she had one effort in the first half from a little bit further out

wall does not start to encroach, also keeping a check on the Great

Britain players in the midst of Steph Houghton scores, Great

Britain have the lead, and Steph Houghton has the honour of scoring

the first ever goal for Great Britain's women's international

team at an Olympic Games! Team GB 1, New Zealand 0. Brilliant, brilliant,

so pleased for Steph Houghton, hard and low right in the corner, she

can't half strike a ball, and she got what she deserved, straight

through the gap that Casey Stoney left and into the corner. Accurate

with a bit of pace as well, fantastic! She just did enough. It

curled away from Jenny Bindon, the wall did its job, the TV players in

their job. Now we are on for a game, because New Zealand have got to

take a few more risks. They were defending beautifully, a cheek

free-kick conceded by Amber Hearn has cost them. What will that do to

for Great Britain. -- Houghton. A sneak peek at herself on the big

screen, she will be shattered from the celebration never mind anything

else. Just keep your heads at the back, Team GB, because New Zealand

have got to go for it. This is Jill Scott, hence it away. The shop

is closed down as soon as it left the boot of Hassett. New Zealand

corner again. Team GB have got to be committed to getting bodies are

malign and stopping shots like that. Zealand to get a point from this.

Tony Readings is a confident coach, he said he was confident of making

the last date, that will still be is a now, but their next game is

against Brazil. You cannot afford to have no points from two games by

the time they face Cameroon in their last game. Kelly Smith

offside, New Zealand not out of this yet. No, they are not, they

are a good team. GB needs to soak up the pressure. Just to remind you,

I did say it was time for a goal just before that free-kick.

former team-mate of hills at Leeds, Steph Houghton got it. So pleased

for at, coming on, playing on this stage, scoring the first goal is

perfectly. -- parsley. That is brave goalkeeping, she was

stretched in his heat. From what I have seen in his game so far, we

have watched England in several tournaments together, this site is

coming together as Team GB with the addition of Kim Little and Iffy

Dieke the, the experience that the England players have gained from

World Cups, it looks to have come on another level, when they are

playing like this. Those two players fit in, Dieke is just solid

at the back, giving Kelly Smith an arrest, I think. I cannot think

that is a surprise. I think one How was the target, and she has gone

more than the owl. Rachel Yankey, just the 118 England games has come

on to replace her England -- will be looking to see and make

those runs forward. Karen Carney has come into the middle to fill

the role that Kelly Smith was in. Karen Carney is a clever player,

lots of energy, she will be pleased that she is in that role now.

anything, she was just a little frozen out of the game at times,

out wide. You play your part, if you get a place in this team, you

play wherever, but we will see the better of her now for the remainder

of this game. What are we going to save from New Zealand? Fighting

there, the pace -- the pass was not among the New Zealand substitutes.

He has got to go for it, to try to Olympic goal in Beijing, a 2-2 draw

against Japan. That's not going to bother Karen Bartlett. -- Karen

in a group with Japan four years As far more important than the

World Cup finals. Yes, I follow them on to it up. It's all going

for goal, step into gold. -- I What a chance to miss spurned a!

Sarah Gregorius had the moment are to draw New Zealand level and throw

the cat amongst the pigeons. That chance was presented to her and you

have got to beat the goalkeeper. She tried to place it in the corner

but well done Karen Bardsley. The occasion may have just got to her

but you have got to take your opportunity. Anita Asante, like in

the first up, she went get a better chance. I bet she dreams about that

tonight. -- she won't get a better chance. It should have been 1-1.

Sarah Gregorius has scored against England at the World Cup last year.

She does not score against Great Britain in the Olympic Games. Not

though. Showing strength, showing deal to do, certainly in the first

half, but has looked very, very solid in the second. She's a very

important figure, one-on-one, going towards the keeper. I fancy her

chances but you would be gutted if you were sent afford and missed

that. -- it Euros centre-forward and missed that. She moved to

Sweden recently. There is a few in corner. Are the Europeans generally

catching up with the USA? I think so, yes, because a lot of them have

had experience of playing their at that level and, athletically, they

are now just as good. Technically, the Europeans are very technical.

They are not far and away better now, the USA. Rachel Yankey spent

her time playing professionally in the United States. Having the, 14 B

g. -- Team GB. It -- having the will be a New Zealand substitution

now. Annalie Longo is coming on, I think, for Kirsty Yallop. She

played at the World Cup in at 2007 when she was only 16. She is

competing the set here. Jackie met their parents outside and they were

so proud of her. I think you can hear them. There is a ripple of New

Zealand applause. She's played under 17, and 20, and other senior

World Cup and Olympic Games. That is what you dream of when you are

kicking your ball in the backyard. She still only young as well. What

an achievement. Still only 21 and this is the 45th time she has

played for a country. Little more than 15 and a half when she paid

for China. Ali Riley certainly will not give this up for New Zealand

with her head off. 15 minutes to go. kick for Team GB. As the tempo

slows in the game, New Zealand are looking for Team GB to make

mistakes. They have got to be firm, Team GB, keeps the ball, and its

use the players have just come on like Rachel Yankey with her pace.

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 62 seconds

Hannah Wilkinson to come back to see a free kick given against her.

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 62 seconds

New Zealand get on with it quickly, her left hand. The referee blows.

Rachel Yankey thought he was referee before that. She fell on to

the ball. I sense a little bit of momentum has shifted in New

Zealand's way. They have got to go for it. They've got to try to save

could to make sure those long legs stayed down. New Zealand get a

throw-in. The ball is spending an increasing amount of time in the

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 62 seconds

possession and use the and have enjoyed. It will come to an end now.

-- this is the longest spell of possession in New Zealand have

enjoyed. It will come to an end now. She will keep it for as long as she

does. She has just had a hurry up Britain. I thought there was going

to be another change for a moment. The referee is calling a halt. I

think she thought that was going to be one as well that nobody is ready

on the touchline. Asking questions of the New Zealand bench. It's a

balancing act for Team GB. The second goal could kill this game.

If they press forward too far, they could risk conceding. Further out

for Steph Houghton, this. Casey Stoney. It has gone. Casey Stoney

is extremely strong in the air. But just didn't quite reach her. Amber

no great hurry now. She's only just come on, as well. That's how hot it

is. Scott, looking to be in prime position here. Rachel Yankey's

corner. Eniola Aluko, to keep the attack going. It's a good cross and

it is behind four another corner. It came off a New Zealand player.

great bear in by Eniola Aluko. An attacking header -- a great ball in

by Eniola Aluko. Jill Scott was on the end of it in the end of.

puffed out her cheeks. Well- defended. It could have been worse

for her. Rachel Yankey's corner. Eniola Aluko not able to jump for

it. It just comes off her and goes behind. You are right about the

balancing act for the British side now. Yes, they would love to get a

second goal. If they have to grind out a 1-0, I'm sure they will. They

has noticeably dipped, and that's burst of energy from substitute

of the match by some way. She's a great game. Defended well.

Athletically, she's done extremely well and she scored a goal. The key

moment of this game so far. Free kick, right-footed, curling through

the wall. Just on the corner of it. And fired away from Jenny Bindon

into the corner. 1-0. New Zealand are running out of time and

opportunities to equalise now. One huge one from Sarah Gregorius but

it went straight to the goalkeeper. He is managing to stay cheerful

about at all, though. Great scenes around the place, around the

stadium and in the stadium. People are getting into the spirit of the

Olympics. A big, big day for the top by Karen Barnsley. A great try

by Amber Hearn. She's had the two of the game, particularly in the

second half. She knew at some point, someone was going to unleash it.

That would have gone in. Good goalkeeping. Determined to keep

this clean sheet. Guaranteed the point. Amber Hearn coming as close

deepest defender. They are a good together team, New Zealand, and you

can see that by the way they defend and attack. I wonder what they are

missing. You look at the defending and think, it's all there. Why

don't they threaten more in these competitions? Yes, they are

improving and the confidence of this game will give them, because

they have had their opportunities and experienced it, and any

difference for Sarah Gregorius, it would have been 1-0, totally

of two New Zealand players. GB is the chant that has started to go

around. Difficult for supporters to find a chant, they are not used to

this. He is not difficult, is it?! Hyundai! It is not as if... They

are many who think they should not be able to get used to it, that is

the politics. You would never want to miss out on this if you were a

player. Scotland's best player, Julie fleeting, said one year ago,

although her position may be compromised by her position with

left to go. Any other girl looks like she has still got some running

sure the ball stays as far away as possible from their own penalty

area. They are minutes away from winning the opening game at the

I am not surprised, to be honest. It was really entertaining in the

first half, GB got the goal in the second half, but it is difficult to

maintain that intensity for any footballer. Yes, it is intense, and

they have been no breaks for drinks or anything, which surprises me

somewhat. Nerves play a part, they drain you at the start of the game.

If you think too much about what the game means, you are wasting

forward, and it is a chance for Fara Williams just to get a few

minutes, a regular starter for England, she has had to make do

with a substitute role for Great Britain in the first game. She is

taking the place of Karen Carney. Will those Flaxby waving in a

couple of minutes' time? Fara Williams is extreme experience that

tournament football, a calm head in the middle. Karen Carney has done

well. She is not have the, but you expect players not to be happy, she

is so passionate about doing well. Williams tax in as a straight swap,

giving more steal to the middle of the Great Britain team. -- Tax in

really hard to get anything out of Yankey. That would have been the

safe and secured a pass, but Yankey wanted another one to select. Will

there be a last chance to equalise? I think Hope Powell would have

wanted Rachel Yankey to keep it at that end, but they are looking for

minutes for fans of the host nation to the ball, and then New Zealand

will not score. He knows that, a little frustrated. The goal for GB

came at a time was perfect for them, and New Zealand have not been able

kick. She will take their time getting back to her feet. The two

full-backs, like you say... The historic opening event of the

London 2012 Olympics. Great Britain got to go early and they have got

to go along, and they have got to make something happen from

Zealand had a throw-in. Annalie one last chance to load the penalty

area. This is it for New Zealand if they're going to get anything from

the game. They are all getting minutes additional time at the end

Zealand are concerned, because Great Britain have hung on at the

end, but they deserved the win, because they have dominated the

game. Hope Powell's team have got off to the best possible start,

anti-Olympics has got off to a winning start for Team GB. Steph

Houghton's free kick was the Karen Bardsley, the hero of the

last 20 minutes or so, but Steph Houghton the hero of the hour, what

a crucial goal that could prove to be. The way things are turning out

in the other games, if GB could top this group and get a nice passage

through the quarter-finals, who knows what we could be dreaming of

in a week or so's time? What a lovely story, Faye, missing out on

a 2007 World Cup and the 2009 World Championships, always knocking on

the door. She was obviously a lot younger then, she missed out on

selection, having to go through quite a few months of rehab, and

then in 2009, she broke a leg doing extra training, John Denham over

hurdles. She has had a lot of misfortune in the past. To have the

confidence to say, Kelly Smith, I want to take this, is brilliant in

such a massive tournament, but she has the technique. Not only in a

both said, this is definitely for Kelly, definitely a left-footer,

but to have the confidence to strike a all like that, it was

exactly where it needed to go with pace, and to be honest the keeper

had no chance. It was just a fantastic strike. We saw earlier

that she came quite close, she had that belief, I am going to score,

leave this to me, and that is what she did. She does well to keep it

down, make sure it gets in and the Var, but it is well within the post

as well. Bardsley, as I mentioned, made a couple of really crucial

saves. Gregorius scored against England in the World Cup, the

opening game, she came close. keeper did not have much to do, but

she came out and dominated when she did, and Gregorius should have

scored. Any centre-forward, when you're through on goal, she should

have scored. Karen Bardsley stood up and made a good save. A just a

bit our indecision between Alex and Iffy, but this is a great save as

well. With her stature, she does that a lot in training. She is able

to do that because she is over six foot. She gives the defence

confidence, her presence and everything, and I think the defence

tends to settle with her in goal. She is obviously brilliantly minded,