Scott eyeing Brazil clash (From Swindon Advertiser)

Scott eyeing Brazil clash

11:12am Thursday 26th July 2012 in London Olympics 2012 - Latest News

JILL SCOTT’S Olympic experience might have begun with a 1-0 win against New Zealand – but the Sunderland-born midfielder is only too aware Team GB’s Games could be defined by Tuesday’s clash with Brazil.

Scott, who plys her trade for Everton domestically, was part of a GB team that made history at the Millennium Stadium yesterday as the first team ever to appear at an Olympics.

The GB squad more than lived up to the occasion, a second- half free-kick from South Hetton defender Steph Houghton proving the decisive moment.

The result gave Scott and co. the perfect start as they look to qualify for the quarterfinals by virtue of finishing in the top two of Group E.

But she admitted the squad have already got more than one eye on their showdown with Brazil in the capital on Tuesday as they bid to challenge for the 2012 medals.

“Brazil will definitely be the main threat in our group,” she said. “Obviously it’s a difficult group – we played New Zealand in the World Cup last year with England so we knew what to expect from them.

“We don’t know too much about Cameroon but Brazil are always up there with the best year after year.

“They’ve got Marta who is the best player in the world, but with it being Brazil and playing at Wembley it’s going to be amazing clash and a really important one for us to make sure we are up for.”

The men’s football has been shrouded in controversy and conjecture with high-profile withdrawals and angst between GB boss Stuart Pearce and the top Premier League managers.

However to Scott there has been nothing but co-operation in the women’s ranks – a situation she believes the team are reaping the benefits of at the Games.

With the all-new FA Women’s Super League now making the game a summer sport Scott insists any talk of burn-out will be firmly banned in the GB ranks.

“The fact that we are in season at the moment now our league has changed to a summer league and Ann Little from Scotland is also playing in that league too has made a difference,” she added. “It helps us because we haven’t come into the tournament having played a full season so we are fresher.

“With New Zealand being the first event of the whole Olympics even before the opening ceremony it was a massive occasion.”

Victory against New Zealand was an ideal kick off for Scott and co and the Everton midfielder, one of the England stars of the 2011 World Cup, was quick to credit the influence of boss Hope Powell.

“Hope Powell has been a positive influence,” she said.

“Obviously with the amount of work that Hope has done over the years and we have seen the rise of women’s football and how long she has been in charge of England.

Her record speaks for itself.”

• Lloyds TSB, proud supporter of Team GB and proud partner of the London 2012 Olympic Games. Get closer to the Games at lloydstsb.com/london2012

Olympic Games Women’s Group E

Great Britain 1 New Zealand 0

GREAT BRITAIN: Bardsley, Alex Scott, Stoney, Dieke, Houghton, Jill Scott, Asante, Carney (Fara Williams 89), Little (White 46), Smith (Yankey 68), Aluko.
Subs (not used): Brown, Bradley, Rafferty, Rachel Williams.
Booked : Asante.
Goal : Houghton 63.

NEW ZEALAND: Bindon, Percival, Erceg, Smith, Riley, Hoyle, Moorwood (Hassett 60), Yallop (Longo 75), Hearne, Gregorius, Wilkinson.
Subs (not used): Rolls, Green, White, Hill, Stott.
Booked : Wilkinson.
Att : 40,000. Ref: Kari Seitz (USA)

OTHER RESULTS

Group E
Cameroon Ladies 0 Brazil Ladies 5
Group F
Japan 2 Canada 1
Sweden 4 South   Africa 1
Group G
Colombia 0 Korea DPR Ladies 2
USA 4 France 2