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      in Soccer

      Team GB Women vs Chile Women FREE: Live stream, TV channel, kick-off time and team news for Olympic Football clash

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      TEAM GB’s Women Football team are on the medal hunt in Tokyo as they take on Chile Women in their opening group fixture.Competing in this event for the first time since 2012, the 18-strong women’s side is packed with international experience and will be hopeful of going far in the tournament.

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      Team GB Women’s Olympic squad was announced in MayCredit: PA
      They have been drawn in Group E alongside Chile, hosts Japan and Canada.
      When is Team GB Women vs Chile Women?

      This opening group game will take place on Wednesday, July 21.
      Kick-off is at 8.30am BST.
      There are three groups in the women’s side of the draw, going from E-G.
      This is to avoid confusion with the men’s draw, which has groups labelled from A-D.

      Which TV channel and live stream can I watch it on?
      There are a number of ways to watch this game here in the UK – and it will be shown on free-to-air TV.
      You can watch the match unfold live on BBC Two and Eurosport 1.
      Coverage will also be streamed on the BBC iPlayer, Eurosport Player and Discovery+.
      Lucy Bronze in training with the side at LoughboroughCredit: PA

      What is the team news?
      There are a number of high-profile stars in Team GB’s ranks, with Karen Bardsley, Steph Houghton, Jill Scott and Ellen White all having represented the squad at London 2012.
      Lauren Hemp is the youngest member at just 20 years old, while Sandy MacIver, Lotte Wubben-Moy, Niamh Charles and Ella Toone are all on the reserve list.
      FIFA Women’s Player of the Year Lucy Bronze is also in the squad.
      Team GB Women’s fixtures

      Team GB vs Chile Women, Wednesday July 21 – 8.30am BST
      Japan Women vs Team GB, Saturday July 24 – 11.30am BST
      Canada Women vs Team GB, Tuesday July 27 – midday BST More

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      Football fixtures at Tokyo Olympics: Who will Team GB women play and what sides are in the men’s draw?

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      IF Euro 2020 wasn’t exciting enough, there is plenty more football to come at the Tokyo Olympics.And Team GB have their women’s team BACK at the Games, where they are looking to go for the gold they missed out on at London 2012.
      Brazil took gold last time out at Rio 2016, after beating Germany in a penalty shoot-out in the finalCredit: Splash News
      Team GB’s women starred at the London 2012 Games but were knocked out in the semi finalsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      The likes of France, Mexico, Spain, Argentina, Brazil and Germany will be competing in Japan as football makes it’s long awaited return to the Olympics.
      The Team GB women’s football team will be right in the mix as well.
      The tournament itself will start on Wednesday, July 22 – two days before the opening ceremony – until Saturday, August 8.
      Hege Riise’s women’s side are due to play Chile in the first match of the tournament in Group E, on July 21 before also playing Canada and Chile in their other initial group games, which will all be played at the Sapporo Stadium. 
      ⚽️ EXPLAINED: Why is there a Team GB women’s team but no men’s team?
      Team GB women’s Group E fixtures:

      Wednesday, July 21 – Great Britain vs Chile – 8.30am UK (4.30pm Japan)
      Saturday, July 24 – Japan vs Great Britain – 11am UK approx (7pm Japan)
      Tuesday, July 27 – Canada vs Great Britain – 11.30am UK approx (7.30pm Japan)

      *Kick off times marked approximate are because games are clustered into sets of two, the Olympic organisers only give kick-off times for the early matches.
      What are the Olympic football groups?
      The men’s competition will consist of sixteen teams split up four by four per group and the women’s competition will consist of 12 teams split up in three groups.
      Men’s groups

      Group A: Japan, South Africa, Mexico, France
      Group B: New Zealand, South Korea, Honduras, Romania
      Group C: Egypt, Spain, Argentina, Australia
      Group D: Brazil, Germany, Ivory Coast, Saudi Arabia

      Women’s groups

      Group E: Japan, Great Britain, Chile, Canada
      Group F: Brazil, Netherlands, China, Zambia
      Group G: USA, Sweden, Australia, New Zealand

      The GB Women’s team qualified for the Olympics by virtue of England’s performance at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, when they finished fourth in France.
      Defending champions Germany will not field a women’s side at the Olympics after they lost their World Cup quarter-final to Sweden.
      And unlike the men’s event – which is an under-23 tournament – the Olympics is one of women’s football’s biggest events, with no age restrictions.
      Olympic football fixtures in full
      Games in the same group are being played two at a time in various stadia, so second kick-off times are approximate.
      Wednesday July 21 – Women

      E: Great Britain vs Chile – 8.30am UK (4.30pm Japan)
      E: Japan vs Canada – 11am UK approx (7pm Japan)
      F: China vs Brazil – 9am UK (5pm Japan)
      F: Zambia vs Netherlands – 11.30am UK approx (7.30pm Japan)
      G: Sweden vs USA – 9.30am UK (5.30pm Japan)
      G: Australia vs New Zealand – 12 Noon UK approx (8pm Japan)

      Thursday July 22 – Men

      C: Egypt vs Spain – 8.30am UK (4.30pm Japan)
      C: Argentina vs Australia – 11am UK approx (7pm Japan)
      A: Mexico vs France – 9am UK (5pm Japan)
      A: Japan vs South Africa – 11.30am UK approx (7.30pm Japan)
      B: New Zealand vs South Korea – 9am UK (5pm Japan)
      B: Honduras vs Romania – 11.30am UK approx (7.30pm Japan)
      D: Ivory Coast vs Saudi Arabia – 9.30am UK (5.30am Japan)
      D: Brazil vs Germany – 12 Noon UK approx (8pm Japan)

      Saturday July 24 – Women

      E: Chile vs Canada – 8.30am UK (4.30pm Japan)
      E: Japan vs Great Britain – 11am UK approx (7pm Japan)
      F: China vs Zambia – 9am UK (5pm Japan)
      F: Netherlands vs Brazil – 11.30am UK approx (7.30pm Japan)
      G: Sweden vs Australia – 9.30am UK (5.30am Japan)
      G: New Zealand vs USA – 12 Noon UK approx (8pm Japan)

      Sunday July 25 – Men

      C: Egypt vs Argentina – 8.30am UK (4.30pm Japan)
      C: Australia vs Spain – 11am UK approx (7pm Japan)
      B: New Zealand vs Honduras – 9am UK (5pm Japan)
      B: Romania vs South Korea- 11.30am UK approx (7.30pm Japan)
      A: France vs South Africa – 9am UK (5pm Japan)
      A: Japan vs Mexico – 11.30am UK approx (7.30pm Japan)
      D: Brazil vs Ivory Coast – 9.30am UK (5.30am Japan)
      D: Saudi Arabia vs Germany – 12 Noon UK approx (8pm Japan)

      Tuesday July 27 – Women

      G: New Zealand vs Sweden – 9am UK (5pm Japan)
      E: Chile vs Japan – 11.30am UK approx (7.30pm Japan)
      G: USA vs Australia – 9am UK (5pm Japan)
      E: Canada vs Great Britain – 11.30am UK approx (7.30pm Japan)
      F: Brazil vs Zambia – 12.30pm UK (8.30pm Japan)
      F: Netherlands vs China – 12.30pm UK (8.30pm Japan)

      Wednesday July 28 – Men

      D: Germany vs Ivory Coast – 9am UK (5pm Japan)
      C: Australia vs Egypt – 11.30am UK approx (7.30pm Japan)
      D: Saudi Arabia vs Brazil – 9am UK (5pm Japan)
      C: Australia vs Egypt – 11.30am UK approx (7.30pm Japan)
      B: Romania vs New Zealand – 9.30am UK (5.30am Japan)
      A: South Africa vs Mexico – 12 Noon UK approx (8pm Japan)
      B: South Korea vs Honduras – 9.30am UK (5.30am Japan)
      A: France vs Japan – 12 Noon UK approx (8pm Japan)

      Friday July 30 – Women

      Women’s quarter final 1 – 9am UK (5pm Japan)
      Women’s quarter final 2 – 10am UK (6pm Japan)
      Women’s quarter final 3 – 11am UK (7pm Japan)
      Women’s quarter final 4 – 12 noon UK (8pm Japan)

      Saturday July 31 – Men

      Men’s quarter final 1 – 9am UK (5pm Japan)
      Men’s quarter final 2 – 10am UK (6pm Japan)
      Men’s quarter final 3 – 11am UK (7pm Japan)
      Men’s quarter final 4 – 12 noon UK (8pm Japan)

      Monday August 2 – Women

      Women’s semi final 1 – 9am UK (5pm Japan)
      Women’s semi final 2 – 12 noon UK (8pm Japan)

      Tuesday August 3 – Men

      Men’s semi final 1 – 9am UK (5pm Japan)
      Men’s semi final 2 – 12 noon UK (8pm Japan)

      Thursday August 5 – Women

      Women’s bronze medal match – 9am UK (5pm Japan)

      Friday August 6 – Women and Men

      Women’s gold medal final – 3am UK (11am Japan)
      Men’s bronze medal match – 12 Noon UK (8pm Japan)

      Saturday August 7 – Men

      Men’s gold medal final – 12.30pm UK (8.30pm Japan) More

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      Inside Tokyo’s Covid-19 secure Olympic and Paralympic village – where athletes are forced to sleep in anti-sex beds

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      TOKYO is a city full of famous buildings and iconic architecture.And its Olympic and Paralympic Village comes across as a homely, if slightly sterile, home for athletes that will descend upon it next month.
      Olympians will sleep in eco-friendly, anti-sex single bedsCredit: Getty
      Chairs will bring some colour to athletes’ roomsCredit: Getty
      Stars will be instructed to eat alone in the dining areaCredit: Getty
      Athletes will sleep in single beds, with decoration kept to a minimum within the Covid-19 secure bubble.
      The Tokyo 2020 pads possess a clean feel, while tenants will be ordered to eat alone.
      Rio’s 2016 Olympics was a Tinder hotspot, with matches having rocketed up 129 per cent in the area during the games.
      Sex is set to be BANNED at this summer’s edition – but precautions have been taken anyway.
      Organisers are distributing a staggering 160,000 condoms for the event, to encourage romping athletes to be safe.
      The official line is that the mass distribution is to ‘raise awareness’.
      And rule-breaking rompers could be left red-faced if they attempt to have threesomes, as the beds will likely COLLAPSE.
      Tokyo organisers are committed to being as eco-friendly as possible, with each bed having been built from recycled cardboard.
      Athletes will take questions in a state of the art media centreCredit: Getty
      Athletes will walk these streets between July 23 and August 8Credit: Alamy
      Press were given a tour of the village this morningCredit: Getty
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      A spokesperson for Airweave, who made the beds, stated: “We’ve conducted experiments, like dropping weights on top of the beds.
      “As long as they stick to just two people in the bed, they should be strong enough to support the load.”
      In the main dining hall, where athletes will be instructed to eat alone, hand sanitising stations are a regular feature.
      Pink and orange signs add some colour to the otherwise dull features.
      And multi-coloured chairs aim for the same effect.
      Competitors will be tested by anti-doping officials hereCredit: Getty
      Beds will be fully recyclableCredit: EPA
      The world’s greatest athletes will descend upon TokyoCredit: Getty

      Snowboard king Shaun White talks about sex, drugs and rock ‘n roll in Olympic village More

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      Australian basketball star Elizabeth Cambage pulls out of Tokyo Olympics over ‘terrifying’ coronavirus bubble in Japan

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      AUSTRALIAN basketball star Elizabeth Cambage has pulled out of the Tokyo Olympics over fears of living in a Covid-19 bubble.Several athletes have already withdrawn from the Games due to Covid concerns, with British tennis player Dan Evans testing positive for the virus.
      Elizabeth Cambage, 29, has pulled out of the Olympics due to mental health concernsCredit: Getty
      Tokyo’s 68,000-seater stadium, built for the Olympics, will be empty this summerCredit: EPA
      All athletes competing in the delayed Games will be forced to live in a bio-secure bubble in Tokyo until their participation ends.
      Social contact will be kept to a minimum during that time, with stars even being forced to eat alone.
      There are fears the strict environment will have a detrimental effect on the mental wellbeing of the athletes, with Cambage being the first to pull out.
      The 29-year-old said: “Anyone that knows me knows one of my biggest dreams is winning an Olympic gold medal with the Opals.
      “Every athlete competing in the Olympic games should be at their mental and physical peak, and at the moment, I’m a long way from where I want and need to be.
      “It’s no secret that in the past I’ve struggled with my mental health and recently I’ve been worried about heading into a ‘bubble’ Olympics.
      “No family. No friends. No fans. No support system outside of my team.
      “It’s honestly terrifying for me. The past month I have been having panic attacks, not sleeping and not eating.
      “Relying on daily medication to control my anxiety is not the place I want to be right now. Especially walking into competition on the world’s biggest sporting stage.
      “I know myself, and I know I can’t be the Liz everyone deserves to see compete for the Opals. Not right now at least.
      “I need to take care of myself mentally and physically.
      “It breaks my heart to announce I’m withdrawing from the Olympics, but I think it’s best for the Opals and myself.
      “I wish them nothing but the best of luck in Tokyo and I hop they go forth and win a gold medal.”
      The Olympics are due to begin on July 23 – despite several athletes pulling out of the Games due to Covid-related problems.

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      Tennis stars Evans, Alex de Minaur and Johanna Konta have all been forced to withdraw from the event due to a positive Covid test.
      And tennis icon Serena Williams has decided against competing, although she hasn’t clarified whether the pandemic is a reason for her decision.
      Covid cases in Tokyo have hit a six-month high and there are fears the Olympics could become a super spreader event.
      Fans will not be in attendance at the Games but thousands of people are still expected to flood in and out of Japan in the coming weeks.
      The lack of spectators has led to tennis star Nick Kyrgios withdrawing, claiming ‘it doesn’t sit right with me’ to play with no fans.
      The Olympic village in Tokyo is deserted ahead of the GamesCredit: AP
      British tennis star Dan Evans will miss the Olympics after contracting Covid-19Credit: Getty
      Man Utd hero Gary Neville pulls hamstring during race with Team GB’s Tokyo 2020 Olympics star Dina Asher-Smith More

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      Team GB footballers confirm they WILL take knee before kick-off at Tokyo Olympics in defiance after England race shame

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      TEAM GB footballers have confirmed they will take a knee before their Olympic matches.Sun Sport revealed last week that the squad, under head coach Hege Riise, had been determined to follow the stance used in the WSL as well as men’s football since last year’s restart.
      Riise has confirmed that her Team GB will be taking the knee before their games at the Tokyo 2020 gamesCredit: Reuters
      It had potentially brought the Team GB players, including two Scots and one from Wales, into conflict with Games chiefs.
      But a reversal allowing pre-match gestures sealed the deal.
      In a statement, Team GB said: “The Team GB Women’s Football squad have confirmed their intention to take the knee on the field of play ahead of kick-off in their games at the forthcoming Tokyo 2020 Olympic Football tournament in Japan.
      “The squad welcomed recent clarification provided by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in relation to Rule 50 which now permits athletes to make gestures on the field of play, provided they are done so without disruption and with respect for fellow competitors.”
      The confirmation came as Riise announced the captaincy of the side will be rotated in the three group games to reflect the unique circumstances of three Home Nations being united under one flag.
      England skipper Steph Houghton, Wales captain Sophie Ingle and Scotland vice-captain Kim Little will each wear the armband in the opening three games against Chile, Japan and Canada.
      Team GB’s opening two matches are in Sapporo, with the side the first British athletes in action on Wednesday, two days before the opening ceremony.
      Riise said: “We are fortunate to have so many experienced and talented players in our squad and we think of ourselves as a ‘leaderful’ team.
      The Team GB are determined to use the stance which has been widely used in the WSL and Premier LeagueCredit: PA
      Their decision to take the stance comes after Rashford, Sancho and Saka were racially abused following their penalty misses in the Euro 2020 finalCredit: Getty
      “Where every individual brings their own leadership strengths to the group.
      “However Steph, Sophie and Kim will lead the way on the pitch.
      “This is a very close group on and off the pitch and I have been so impressed how they have all come together.
      “When you get to an Olympics you realise you are part of something veryspecial and I know the players and support team are determined to give everything they can.”
      About the decision to kneel – as both England and Wales did before all their games in Euro 2020 – Riise added: “The players and staff have been taking the knee at club and international level for over a year now.
      “And we were all united in our decision to continue doing whatever we can to raise awareness of racism and discrimination in all itsforms.
      “Standing in unity and solidarity with all those whose lives are affected.
      “We are clear that taking the knee is an important symbol of peaceful protest against discrimination, injustice and inequality in society.
      “And we are glad that the IOC have acknowledged the importance of this form of freedom of expression.
      “We will do so with The utmost respect for our fellow competitors, officials and the IOC, with due regard for the ideals that lie at the heart of the Olympic movement.”
      Team GB’s decision to take the knee comes shortly after England stars Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Buyako Saka were all racially abused following their penalty misses against Italy in the Euro 2020 final.

      The trio were subjected to vile abuse from trolls on Twitter which has outraged the nation.
      Manchester United ace Rashford had his mural in the city vandalised. which left him on the brink of tears, but it was covered with messages of support shortly after.
      His new United team-mate Sancho also revealed he was saddened by the horrific jibes but declared that hate will never win.
      Hege Riise is appointed Team GB women’s football head coach for Tokyo Olympics More

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      Football fixtures at Tokyo Olympics: Who will Team GB women face and what sides are in men’s draw?

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      IF Euro 2020 wasn’t exciting enough, there is plenty more football to come at the Tokyo Olympics.And Team GB have their women’s team BACK at the Games, where they are looking to go for the gold they missed out on at London 2012.
      Brazil took gold last time out at Rio 2016, after beating Germany in a penalty shoot-out in the finalCredit: Splash News
      Team GB’s women starred at the London 2012 Games but were knocked out in the semi finalsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      The likes of France, Mexico, Spain, Argentina, Brazil and Germany will be competing in Japan as football makes it’s long awaited return to the Olympics.
      The Team GB women’s football team will be right in the mix as well.
      The tournament itself will start on Wednesday, July 22 – two days before the opening ceremony – until Saturday, August 8.
      Hege Riise’s women’s side are due to play Chile in the first match of the tournament in Group E, on July 21 before also playing Canada and Chile in their other initial group games, which will all be played at the Sapporo Stadium. 
      ⚽️ EXPLAINED: Why is there a Team GB women’s team but no men’s team?
      Team GB women’s Group E fixtures:

      Wednesday, July 21 – Great Britain vs Chile – 8.30am UK (4.30pm Japan)
      Saturday, July 24 – Japan vs Great Britain – 11am UK approx (7pm Japan)
      Tuesday, July 27 – Canada vs Great Britain – 11.30am UK approx (7.30pm Japan)

      *Kick off times marked approximate are because games are clustered into sets of two, the Olympic organisers only give kick-off times for the early matches.
      What are the Olympic football groups?
      The men’s competition will consist of sixteen teams split up four by four per group and the women’s competition will consist of 12 teams split up in three groups.
      Men’s groups

      Group A: Japan, South Africa, Mexico, France
      Group B: New Zealand, South Korea, Honduras, Romania
      Group C: Egypt, Spain, Argentina, Australia
      Group D: Brazil, Germany, Ivory Coast, Saudi Arabia

      Women’s groups

      Group E: Japan, Great Britain, Chile, Canada
      Group F: Brazil, Netherlands, China, Zambia
      Group G: USA, Sweden, Australia, New Zealand

      The GB Women’s team qualified for the Olympics by virtue of England’s performance at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, when they finished fourth in France.
      Defending champions Germany will not field a women’s side at the Olympics after they lost their World Cup quarter-final to Sweden.
      And unlike the men’s event – which is an under-23 tournament – the Olympics is one of women’s football’s biggest events, with no age restrictions.
      Olympic football fixtures in full
      Games in the same group are being played two at a time in various stadia, so second kick-off times are approximate.
      Wednesday July 21 – Women

      E: Great Britain vs Chile – 8.30am UK (4.30pm Japan)
      E: Japan vs Canada – 11am UK approx (7pm Japan)
      F: China vs Brazil – 9am UK (5pm Japan)
      F: Zambia vs Netherlands – 11.30am UK approx (7.30pm Japan)
      G: Sweden vs USA – 9.30am UK (5.30am Japan)
      G: Australia vs New Zealand – 12 Noon UK approx (8pm Japan)

      Thursday July 22 – Men

      C: Egypt vs Spain – 8.30am UK (4.30pm Japan)
      C: Argentina vs Australia – 11am UK approx (7pm Japan)
      A: Mexico vs France – 9am UK (5pm Japan)
      A: Japan vs South Africa – 11.30am UK approx (7.30pm Japan)
      B: New Zealand vs South Korea – 9am UK (5pm Japan)
      B: Honduras vs Romania – 11.30am UK approx (7.30pm Japan)
      D: Ivory Coast vs Saudi Arabia – 9.30am UK (5.30am Japan)
      D: Brazil vs Germany – 12 Noon UK approx (8pm Japan)

      Saturday July 24 – Women

      E: Chile vs Canada – 8.30am UK (4.30pm Japan)
      E: Japan vs Great Britain – 11am UK approx (7pm Japan)
      F: China vs Zambia – 9am UK (5pm Japan)
      F: Netherlands vs Brazil – 11.30am UK approx (7.30pm Japan)
      G: Sweden vs Australia – 9.30am UK (5.30am Japan)
      G: New Zealand vs USA – 12 Noon UK approx (8pm Japan)

      Sunday July 25 – Men

      C: Egypt vs Argentina – 8.30am UK (4.30pm Japan)
      C: Australia vs Spain – 11am UK approx (7pm Japan)
      B: New Zealand vs Honduras – 9am UK (5pm Japan)
      B: Romania vs South Korea- 11.30am UK approx (7.30pm Japan)
      A: France vs South Africa – 9am UK (5pm Japan)
      A: Japan vs Mexico – 11.30am UK approx (7.30pm Japan)
      D: Brazil vs Ivory Coast – 9.30am UK (5.30am Japan)
      D: Saudi Arabia vs Germany – 12 Noon UK approx (8pm Japan)

      Tuesday July 27 – Women

      G: New Zealand vs Sweden – 9am UK (5pm Japan)
      E: Chile vs Japan – 11.30am UK approx (7.30pm Japan)
      G: USA vs Australia – 9am UK (5pm Japan)
      E: Canada vs Great Britain – 11.30am UK approx (7.30pm Japan)
      F: Brazil vs Zambia – 12.30pm UK (8.30pm Japan)
      F: Netherlands vs China – 12.30pm UK (8.30pm Japan)

      Wednesday July 28 – Men

      D: Germany vs Ivory Coast – 9am UK (5pm Japan)
      C: Australia vs Egypt – 11.30am UK approx (7.30pm Japan)
      D: Saudi Arabia vs Brazil – 9am UK (5pm Japan)
      C: Australia vs Egypt – 11.30am UK approx (7.30pm Japan)
      B: Romania vs New Zealand – 9.30am UK (5.30am Japan)
      A: South Africa vs Mexico – 12 Noon UK approx (8pm Japan)
      B: South Korea vs Honduras – 9.30am UK (5.30am Japan)
      A: France vs Japan – 12 Noon UK approx (8pm Japan)

      Friday July 30 – Women

      Women’s quarter final 1 – 9am UK (5pm Japan)
      Women’s quarter final 2 – 10am UK (6pm Japan)
      Women’s quarter final 3 – 11am UK (7pm Japan)
      Women’s quarter final 4 – 12 noon UK (8pm Japan)

      Saturday July 31 – Men

      Men’s quarter final 1 – 9am UK (5pm Japan)
      Men’s quarter final 2 – 10am UK (6pm Japan)
      Men’s quarter final 3 – 11am UK (7pm Japan)
      Men’s quarter final 4 – 12 noon UK (8pm Japan)

      Monday August 2 – Women

      Women’s semi final 1 – 9am UK (5pm Japan)
      Women’s semi final 2 – 12 noon UK (8pm Japan)

      Tuesday August 3 – Men

      Men’s semi final 1 – 9am UK (5pm Japan)
      Men’s semi final 2 – 12 noon UK (8pm Japan)

      Thursday August 5 – Women

      Women’s bronze medal match – 9am UK (5pm Japan)

      Friday August 6 – Women and Men

      Women’s gold medal final – 3am UK (11am Japan)
      Men’s bronze medal match – 12 Noon UK (8pm Japan)

      Saturday August 7 – Men

      Men’s gold medal final – 12.30pm UK (8.30pm Japan) More

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      Team GB Women’s friendly duel with Zambia reportedly axed ahead of Tokyo Olympics opening game for Hege Riise’s aces

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      GREAT BRITAIN’S women’s football team have seen their plans for a pre-Olympics warm-up match dashed with their clash with Zambia reportedly kiboshed. BBC Sport claims the July 1 friendly game between the two sides has been called off 20 days before Team GB’s first match at the Tokyo Games. 
      A friendly match between Zambia and Team GB women’s football team has reportedly been called offCredit: PA
      Head coach Hege Riise had hoped to see her side in action ahead of their first match at the Tokyo OlympicsCredit: PA
      The announcement comes ten days after Man City stopper Karen Bardsley was forced to withdraw from Hege Riise’s squad due to injury, with Chelsea’s Carly Telford replacing her. 
      In a statement the FA said: “Due to circumstances beyond everyone’s control Zambia have had to withdraw from the National Lottery-hosted GB Women’s Football send-off game on 1 July.
      “The African nation – who will also be taking part in the Olympic Games in Tokyo next month – had to pull out because of complications linked to COVID-19 restrictions.
      “Ticket refunds will be issued to all purchasers.”
      Olympic champion Hege Riise, who won gold with Norway at the 2000 Games, will lead the GB squad at this summer’s Games.
      Team GB’s friendly encounter with Zambia would have been the first competitive test for the side who have been drawn in Group E at the Tokyo Olympics.
      It would have seen Riise’s aces pit their wits against an African team who have qualified for the Games for the first time in their history.
      The match, which was due to be aired on BBC Four and held at Stoke City Stadium, was expected to be attended by a limited number of paying fans. 
      And it would have been the only opportunity for Great Britain supporters to watch the team in action on home turf. 
      Team GB will be targeting a gold medal win in at the Olympics GamesCredit: PA

      Riise, 51, is one of only three women in the world to have won an Olympic gold medal, a World Cup and a European Championship
      And the former Norway international had been eager to see her side perform in front of home nations fans. 
      Prior to the fixture’s cancellation the Team GB head coach said: “It has been a long time since supporters have had the opportunity to watch any of the home nations play.
      “The chance to see our GB squad compete before the Games is a rare occasion indeed.”
      Great Britain will take on Chile in the first of their three Group E fixtures in Tokyo on July 21. 
      This is only the second time that Team GB have entered a women’s football team in Olympic competition since the introduction of the sport to the Games’ schedule in 1996.
      Team GB fielded a football squad for the first time in the London 2012 Olympic Games. 
      The team reached the quarter-finals, with the United States the eventual winners after beating this summer’s hosts Japan 2-1 to win gold for a third consecutive time.

      They will then play hosts Japan on July 24 before taking on Canada who are coached by former England Women’s assistant Bev Priestman. 
      Team GB’s opener against Chile will take place at the Sapporo Stadium. 
      And it was at the 41,580 capacity venue that David Beckham grabbed headlines by netting a penalty against Argentina in the 2002 World Cup.
      Manchester City star Caroline Weir targets Team GB Olympic glory like ‘mentor’ Andy Murray More

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      Arsenal signing Mana Iwabuchi wows fans with stunning volleyed-goal as Japan thrash Ukraine 8-0 ahead of Tokyo Olympics

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      MANA IWABUCHI gave Arsenal fans a glimpse of what to expect next season when she scored a stunning volley in Japan’s 8-0 annihilation of Ukraine.The 28-year-old, who signed for Gunners last month, was in blistering form as the Olympic hosts humiliated their European opponents.
      Iwabuchi scored a stunner as Japan thumped Ukraine 8-0Credit: Getty

      She helped set up Japan’s first goal of the game, before going on to net a brace in the friendly match-up.
      But it was her first strike which drove supporters insane.
      Iwabuchi connected beautifully onto the end of a cross before smashing the ball into the top corner from close range to the delight of her team-mates.
      Her impeccable strike had fans claiming that her new Gunners team-mate Vivianne Miedema would be proud.
      One fan wrote: “Even this girl would of been proud to hit a strike that clean,” along-side a pic of the duo.
      But the ex-Aston Villa dynamo wasn’t done there and found herself on the score-sheet again 13 minutes into the second half.
      In similar fashion to her first attempt, Iwabuchi pounced on to a cross but this time her finish was a scrappy one.
      After leaving her mark on the game, she was subbed with 14 minutes left on the clock.
      She was unplayable in the game as she scored another and also provided an assistCredit: Getty
      Fans claimed even her new Gunners pal Miedema would’ve been proud of the strike

      Iwabuchi’s fellow Gunners team-mates will be hoping she will re-create her stunning national form with them domestically next season.
      But they’ll be praying the former Bayern Munich forward leaves her scoring boots at home during the Olympics.
      Several Gunners stars will feature in the Tokyo games in July including Team GB players Leah Williamson and Kim Little.
      The pair were picked by Hege Riise to represent the nation in Iwabuchi’s home country next month.
      Great Britain are due to play Chile in their opening Olympic Group E game followed by clashes Japan and Canada in their Olympic group matches.
      Matches are due to commence on July 21 with their first two fixtures due to take place at the Sapporo Dome.
      But as fans won’t be able to join them on their journey, the GB squad will partake in a farewell game against Zambia at the start of July.
      The friendly tie will be played at Stoke City’s Bet365 stadium, and supporters that can’t make it can catch the match live on BBC Four.
      The 29-year-old signed for the Gunners from Villa last monthCredit: PA
      Caroline Weir and Lauren Hemp among WSL aces included in Hege Riise’s Team GB squad More