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LONDON OLYMPICS 2012: Steph Houghton wants gold for Britain now

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It's been a dream so far, but we want to go all the way and win gold now

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UPDATED:

23:54 GMT, 2 August 2012

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We've done what I don’t think we even dared to dream about: beat Brazil at the Games in front of 70,000 people.

We heard that there was going to be a record crowd but I didn’t expect there to be so many fans. It was amazing — for Great Britain and for women’s football.

I don’t know where my goalscoring run has come from! It’s great but I don’t care who scores as long as we keep winning.

What a win: Stephanie Houghton scores Britain's winner against Brazil at Wembley

What a win: Stephanie Houghton scores Britain's winner against Brazil at Wembley

When I was younger, I played up front for Sunderland but in the last few years I’ve turned into a full back.

The whole experience has been mind-blowing. We’re the first British women’s football team at the Olympics. We are a really tight group and we’re all buzzing.

You can’t explain what it feels like to be at the Olympics and part of Team GB. Hope Powell, our coach, has showed us all the newspapers after our matches and we’ve been front and back page news. It’s a massive boost for women’s football.

We’re all used to people saying: ‘Girls don’t play football.’ But now we’re playing on the biggest stage of all. It’s a reality check for people who were negative when we were younger, which is why I’m really thankful it’s gone so well so far.

Pure delight: Houghton celebrates Britain's win

Pure delight: Houghton celebrates Britain's win

It’s such a good thing for young girls to see because, when I was growing up, I looked up to David Beckham and Steven Gerrard. But there are female footballers in the spotlight now. We need to try to be role models because girls can now dream about playing football.

Meeting Beckham was amazing. He said he watched our games and liked the celebration we did after scoring against Cameroon.

I can’t tell you what that’s about, though. It’s a secret that we’re keeping to ourselves for now.

Can we win gold Beating Brazil has really boosted our confidence and we’re improving with every game. Canada will be really tough to beat, but against Brazil we showed how determined we are.

I hope we’ve shown that women’s football is actually really good.

Great Britain women's football team

Great Britain 1 Brazil 0: Three and easy as hot shot Steph Houghton stuns Samba girls

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Great Britain 1 Brazil 0: Hot shot Houghton stuns Samba girls to book Canada clash

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UPDATED:

20:38 GMT, 31 July 2012

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Hope Powell promised a performance, responding to the wishes of those at Wembley and shining a torchlight on women’s football.

And Great Britain’s coach got her
wish, sending her swish side out to dismantle one of the world’s best
teams in front of an excitable and exuberant crowd.

Hot shot: Steph Houghton (second left) celebrates her early strike

Hot shot: Steph Houghton (second left) celebrates her early strike

These girls are the real thing. Steph Houghton’s well-taken early goal was enough to beat a very talented Brazil side last night, and meant Britain finished top of Group E and can look forward to Saturday’s quarter-final against Canada in Coventry.

They have the country on their side at these Games and continue to generate interest as they showcase their talent and tactical nous. They craved the attention and now they will have to get used to coping with it.

Britain are stylish and well organised, a tribute to the calming leadership qualities of their outstanding, progressive coach. Powell has peppered her team with craft and creativity, combing through the nation to find a winning combination.

Group hug: Great Britain celebrate

Group hug: Great Britain celebrate

Britain are on to something, full of
enterprise on the field and earning the admiration of those in the
stands. The team were lifted by the occasion — the first women’s game at
the new Wembley — and by the large attendance they commanded.

They sense the chance to win gold at these Games, and are learning to
live with the added attention as they progress to the last eight.It
comes with the territory; their profile has been raised while qualifying
and proving they can match the very best.

Brazil boast some of the most talented players in the world, mimicking
the men’s team with their razor-sharp skills and tight turns.

At Wembley, the home of English — and temporarily British — football,
Great Britain were comfortable and confident. Brazil, silver medallists
in Beijing and Athens, expect to be back here for the final on August 9
and they had already qualified for the quarter-finals before last
night, after a five-goal thumping of Cameroon and a stumbling victory a
stumbling victory over New Zealand.

Jorge Barcellos’s team were still complaining last night of the
broken-down bus that affected their preparations on the eve of the game,
leaving them stranded by the side of the road before they were rescued
by Olympics officials.

The conspiracy theories were doing the rounds thick and fast at Wembley,
from suggestions of sabotage by Team GB officials to the more likely
explanation of incompetence.

That was certainly the case for Brazil’s defence in the opening minute
of the match, as they struggled to come to terms with Britain’s
breathtaking approach-play.

And they fell behind in the second minute when Karen Carney, the impish
winger on Britain’s right took out four Brazilian defenders with the
sweetest of turns.

Houghton, inside the area, responded well by wrong-footing Brazil keeper Andreia before finishing neatly.

The Arsenal left back is turning into a star of the tournament; last
night’s early strike put her second top scorer at the Olympics with
three goals.

It was an electrifying start by Powell’s team, who were feeding off the
enthusiasm in the stands and searching for more goals whenever they
were in possession.

This performance will accelerate their Olympic ambitions, adding to the
sense of adventure as this golden generation of girls earn their place
among the elite. Crucially they are able to create chances, and they
used their attacking instincts to open up one of the world’s best
women’s teams.

Carney is a little terror down the right, a real tease when she has the
ball and a threat whenever she accelerates beyond the full-back.

Kelly Smith, happy to be isolated up front, is still waiting to score her first goal of these games.
She has the pedigree at this level and knows that her failure to score
from the penalty spot ten minutes after the break could have been
costly.

Smith had missed a straightforward header after the restart and she will
be rattled by the chance to settle it after Eniola Aluko was tripped
inside the box.

Defensively they have the players to cope, with the outstanding pairing
of Sophie Bradley and captain Casey Stone solid under pressure.

They will have to soak it up on Saturday and then it could be all about a semi-final with the USA.

Powell praises Team GB"s history makers after getting Olympic campaign going

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Powell praises 'history makers' after GB get Olympic campaign up and running

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UPDATED:

19:43 GMT, 25 July 2012

Olympics 2012

Hope Powell hailed her 'history makers' after Great Britain launched their Olympic campaign with a 1-0 win over New Zealand in Cardiff.

Steph Houghton scored the only goal, curling home a superb 65th-minute free-kick which, given the nature of this 12-team competition, is almost enough to secure a quarter-final berth.

However, as the very first match GB have played in women's football, and the first event of the entire Olympics, Powell knows GB have made a statement that can never be erased.

'The girls have made history today,' said Powell. 'It has been mentioned so much we couldn't ignore it. We were the first women's GB team ever and we won. That will never change now.

Magic moment: Steph Houghton wheels away after firing the only goal of the game

Magic moment: Steph Houghton wheels away after firing the only goal of the game

'We wanted to enjoy the experience. We recognised it was the first event and that it was an opportunity for the girls to showcase their talent. I wanted them to embrace it and have a go. As it happens, we did alright.'

Despite the Football Association's pre-match claim that in excess of 31,000 tickets had been sold, the official attendance of 24,549 meant that it wasn't the UK record for a women's international the game had been billed as.

Nevertheless, Powell and her players have been overwhelmed by the entire Olympic experience so far.

'It was a great crowd,' she said. 'It is nice to come to a big stadium. That inspires the girls to do well.'

All good: Hope Powell oversees Ebngland's opening win

All good: Hope Powell oversees Ebngland's opening win

GB will hope to enjoy a similar experience when they take on Cameroon in the same stadium on Thursday.

New Zealand boss Tony Readings saw enough in the hosts' performance to believe they can make a major impact in the competition.

To do that, they will need to become more clinical in their finishing. After a nervous opening, GB blew a succession of chances before Houghton stepped up for her big moment.

It was some kind of redemption for the Durham-born defender, who has twice missed out on major tournaments because of injury.

Winner: Houghton fires in her free-kick

Winner: Houghton fires in her free-kick

'She has been really unlucky,' said Powell.

'She suffered major injuries before the World Cup in 2007 and the Euros in 2009. She has worked really hard to get back into condition and is now one of the fittest players in the squad. Scoring today was a great honour for her.'

Powell claimed Houghton was 'in shock' as the ball went in, an assessment the 24-year-old did not dispute.

'It is almost impossible to put into words,' she said. 'I knew I had struck it well and when I picked my head up it was in the back of the net. I didn't really know what to do with my celebration.

'I was trying to head towards the bench but I got tired and tried to slow down because it was so hot. It was a really special moment for me, the best of my career without a doubt.'

London 2012 Olympics: Great Britain 1 New Zealand 0 at Millennium Stadium

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Great Britain 1 New Zealand 0: GB girls kick off Olympics in style with Cardiff victory

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UPDATED:

16:53 GMT, 25 July 2012

The 2012 Olympic Games began with a bang for Great Britain as the host nation's women footballers earned a victory over New Zealand at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.

Arsenal's Steph Houghton notched the decisive goal midway through the second half as her superb strike from a direct free-kick flew past New Zealand goalkeeper Jenny Bindon.

The match was the first of six games to be played on Wednesday, with the football competition starting early due to the number of fixtures to be played. The official opening ceremony for the London Games is on Friday evening.

More to follow.

Match-winner: Steph Houghton celebrates scoring the winner with GB team-mate Ifeoma Dieke

Match-winner: Steph Houghton celebrates scoring the winner with GB team-mate Ifeoma Dieke

Heads you lose: Stephanie Houghton (top left) fights for the ball with New Zealand's defence

Heads you lose: Stephanie Houghton (top left) fights for the ball with New Zealand's defence

Back of the net: New Zealand goalkeeper Jenny Bindon (centre) fails to stop Stephanie Houghton's free-kick

Back of the net: New Zealand goalkeeper Jenny Bindon (centre) fails to stop Stephanie Houghton's free-kick

Over the bar: Amber Hearn of New Zealand shoots at goal at the Millennium Stadium

Over the bar: Amber Hearn of New Zealand shoots at goal at the Millennium Stadium

Hot ticket: Fans enjoy the Olympic atmosphere at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff

Hot ticket: Fans enjoy the Olympic atmosphere at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff

In the stands: FIFA president Sepp Blatter was in town watching the big Olympic kick-off

In the stands: FIFA president Sepp Blatter was in town watching the big Olympic kick-off

Go GB! Fans arrive before the Group E match at the Millennium Stadium on Wednesday

Go GB! Fans arrive before the Group E match at the Millennium Stadium on Wednesday

Euro 2012 Is Roy Hodgson the man to help England end Sweden hoodoo

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Revered Roy is returning to the roots he replenished as England look to end Sweden hoodoo

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UPDATED:

21:43 GMT, 14 June 2012

In Sweden they consider Roy Hodgson one of their own to the extent that they still refer to him as 'Royson' or 'Swedish Roy'.

It is 22 years since he left but he needs little encouragement to roll out his fluent Swedish and will always be adored for his contribution to their footballing development.

He won the title twice with Halmstad, who were relegation fodder when he first moved to Scandinavia in 1976, and won the title five times on the trot with Malmo.

He's so popular: Roy Hodgson is hoisted by Halmstad players and fans after winning the Swedish league in 1976

He's so popular: Roy Hodgson is hoisted by Halmstad players and fans after winning the Swedish league in 1976

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But for an ill-fated four months at Bristol City, he spent 14 years coaching in Sweden.

'He came to Sweden unknown but earned a big name because of the way he brought new influences into Swedish football,' said Sweden manager Erik Hamren.

'He’s a big name in Sweden and we will never forget him for what he’s done for Swedish football. I’m looking forward to meeting him but I hope he has a headache after this game.'

This contribution for which Hodgson is revered was to impress – along with fellow wandering Englishman Bobby Houghton – the English tactical system upon the region’s football psyche.

Sweden became long-standing devotees of 4-4-2 and only tore up the format when Hamren took charge two-and-a-half years ago and switched to 4-2-3-1, though he still relies heavily on physical power and set-pieces.

'You’re always looking to take new steps,' said Hamren.

'Seldom do you stay on the same platform. I try to do my job with my philosophy of how to play and get results.'

Scholar of the game: Hamren

Scholar of the game: Hodgson

Scholars of the game: Hamren (left) and Hodgson

So the Swedes are emerging from the tactical comfort blanket supplied by Hodgson and Houghton at a time when England have appointed Hodgson, who is expected to select a team in a 4-4-2 formation.

Hamren’s changes are seen as his attempt to eke more from Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the talisman and captain, who will hope his brilliant hat-trick against Arsenal in the Champions League will end his poor personal form against English teams.

England, similarly, were relieved to end their long winless run against the Swedes with a 1-0 win in a friendly at Wembley in November but have never beaten them in seven competitive games.

'It is in the heart and soul of every Swede to make life miserable for England,' said former England manager Sven Goran Eriksson.

'Most football-crazy Swedes grew up with English football. They have followed the Premier League on television and know all the names of the stars and biggest personalities.

Speaking from experience: Svan Goran Eriksson tried but failed to oversee a victory over Sweden, with England drawing 2-2 in Cologne in 2006

Speaking from experience: Svan Goran Eriksson tried but failed to oversee a victory over Sweden, with England drawing 2-2 in Cologne in 2006

'The consequence is that Swedish players always work a little harder when they play England. It’s like a derby to them. And that makes Sweden a nasty rival.

'They always do their scouting with impressive thoroughness and because of that you often get matches that are tactical games – or even wars.'

So, having failed to beat them with a Swede, England will attempt the same trick with an adopted-Swede, playing in the shape the Swedes have finally abandoned.