Tokyo Olympics: Team GB men’s hockey make it back-to-back wins as Sam Ward stars vs Canada

Liam Ansell twice found himself in the right place at the right time as Team GB made it two wins from two to start the men’s hockey competition. 

Sam Ward, who got the other goal in a 3-1 win over Canada, played a starring role, teeing up Ansell for a tap-in at 1-0.

Ward found himself on the baseline but had the clever spacial awareness to cut back on the reverse for an unmarked Ansell who had the enviable task of slapping into an empty net. 

The provider then turned scorer when he dragged into the bottom corner fiercely from a penalty corner.

Canada gave Team GB a brief scare when Floris Van Son hammered home on the reverse from the edge of the D but nerves were settled when Ansell bagged his second, and GB’s third, late on.

Ansell and Co find themselves back in action on Tuesday morning when they face Germany.  

Danny Kerry’s side look in good shape here for medal contention and were unfortunate not to take control of this match sooner, were it not for the posts bailing Canada out. 

Ward struck the right post in the closing stages of the first half and was in disbelief with the goalkeeper stranded for the strike. 

In the end the first half stalemate will be quickly forgotten and attention will turn to Germany on Tuesday.

With the women’s team themselves beaten by Germany in their opener Kerry’s side will be wary of letting complacency set in now. 

Team GB have matched Pool B leaders Belgium in grinding out a 100 per cent start. 

Four of the six sides in each pool progress to the quarter-finals.