Riko Ueki

Ueki nets for Japan & Gorry makes return for Australia

West Ham United women's team duo Riko Ueki and Katrina Gorry were in international action on Saturday. 

Ueki found the back of the net for Japan in their 4-0 victory over Ghana in their final match before the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, which commences later this month.

The two sides partook in the MS&AD Cup, an annual competition that has been contested on Japanese soil since 2017.

Ghana’s Portia Boakye was sent-off inside the first 25 minutes of the match at the Kanazawa Stadium, but it took until the second half for Nadeshiko to take control of the game.

Mina Tanaka, Maika Hamano and Aoba Fujino put the home side in a commanding lead with just over 20 minutes of the second half played, before Ueki came off the bench to slot home a fourth for her country ten minutes from time.

Japan will face Spain, Brazil and Nigeria in Group C at the Olympic Games.

Gorry returned from injury and made her first appearance since late March as Australia lost 2-1 to Canada in their final friendly ahead of the Games.

The midfielder, who has now made 108 appearances for her country, played the first half in the defeat at Marbella Football Center in Spain, where Shan Freier had opened the scoring for Australia in her first start for her country.

However, Canada would equalise just before Gorry was withdrawn, and Evelyne Viens would score with five minutes of the second half remaining to inflict defeat on the Matildas.

Australia will face Germany, the United States and Zambia in Group B at the tournament.

 

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2024/25 Away Kit