The men’s Olympic football team saw their historic Tokyo 2020 campaign come to an end this evening in Kashima, eliminated on penalties by Japan after holding the hosts for 120 minutes. 

The only opponent so far this tournament not to be defeated in 90 minutes by Japan, the team were beaten 4-2 on penalties, following misses by Liberato Cacace and Clayton Lewis, at the Ibaraki Kashima Stadium.

After the game, Head Coach Danny Hay and midfielder Joe Bell spoke to media:

“This group of young players have so much potential” said Danny Hay

“It’s important to remember that we’ve actually only had a few weeks together. This group hasn’t been like Japan and had, I guess, tens of millions of dollars spent on them and 40/50 games under their belt together. We’ve had a couple of warm-up games and then been thrown into the lions’ den. 

“I think the way the players have responded, the character they’ve shown, their willingness to fulfill roles and responsibilities within the tactical plan, has been quite incredible.”

Article added: Saturday 31 July 2021