ANOC Games Match Report: Team GB 2-3 Spain

After a near-perfect few days in Qatar, Perry Northeast‘s Team GB comfortably overcame three strong teams in their group to qualify for the semi-finals. They were forced to dig deep to overcome a 5-2 scoreline against Brazil and come back to win 6-5. This victory guaranteed at least a silver medal as they took on Spain in the gold medal play-off.

Team GB will have been pleased with their start when former Chichester City forward, Molly Clark, put her side ahead. 

Things quickly soured as Spain scored three quickfire goals from Lorena Asensio and Carmen Fresneda Morga. Asensio scoring two goals with her only two shots of the game. 

The second period was a tight affair with no goals for either side. It wasn’t too much of a surprise as Team GB knew that they couldn’t afford to concede again. While Spain knew that they had to be sensible and avoid any errors as they had one hand on the gold medal. 

Team GB played with more urgency in the third period as they pushed to get back into the game. Rebecca Barron pulled one back with a shot that beat Laura Gallego Silvente. The La Roja keeper misjudging the bounce of the ball. 

Sadly for Sarah Kempson and co, they were unable to get the equaliser and it was Spain who picked up the gold medal in the inaugural ANOC World Beach Games. Northeast’s team can hold their heads high and be immensely proud of their achievements over the last week. After the success of the beach soccer competition, fingers crossed that we’ll see its inclusion in the Olympics in the near future.

With a number of the squad currently unattached, there will be no shortage of clubs trying to secure their services for the remainder of the season. 

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