England bounce back to defeat hosts Japan at World Championship

England put their quarter-final disappointment behind them to record an impressive 10-5 victory against World Championship hosts Japan.

England surged ahead early in the opening quarter, after an hour and a half weather delay postponed the start, and never looked in trouble with the attack firing and Britt Read at her outstanding best between the pipes.

Japan came into the game off the back of their own agonising quarter-final loss in overtime to Canada but England were able to bounce back the stronger to take victory.

Three goals in the opening 10 minutes put England in a commanding position; a Cece Green double and a goal from Emma Savage set the tone and put England in control.

Japan scored the next two either side of the quarter-time, but Jordan Carr stopped the run and goals for Annie Mather and Claire Faram had England 6-3 up at the half.

Savage and Green both scored again at the start of the third quarter, and Read impressed in the goal with three saves in Q3 and eight for the match.

Two Japan goals late in the third did close the match up briefly, and England then had to see off a five-minute Japanese possession at the start of the fourth resulting in more saves for Read.

But when Carr scored a second goal to make it a four-goal game Japan were broken and England cruised to victory to record an impressive win in front of a loud home crowd.

England now advance to the 5th place play-off match against Australia.

England Scorers: Cece Green (3G), Jordan Carr (2G 1A), Emma Savage (2G), Claire Faram (1G), Annie Mather (1G), Liv Wimpenny (1G), Teagan Scott (1A), Sofia Wise (1A)