Arsenal forward Nikita Parris has expressed her support for Team GB’s footballers taking the knee at this summer’s Tokyo Olympic Games.
In their opening match against Chile, the South American opposition opted to show solidarity and kneel at the same time as the British contingent.
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s game against Japan, Parris said: “I was very happy. We are a united team. We spoke with the other team prior to the game and ensured that they knew what our intentions were. It was great to see that Chile took the knee also. It was a powerful statement from us all.”
After a 2-0 win against the Chileans in the first game of the group stage, Hege Riise’s Team GB side are now preparing to play Japan – a more difficult test – in their second match of the summer. Not only are they a stronger side, but with the Japanese on home soil, they will be looking to step it up a notch.
On the hosts, Parris said: “Obviously they are a strong opponent and very technical. I expect them to come out a lot stronger than they have in previous games against us because they are at a home Games and want to progress.
"I think they played really well in spells [against Canada] so obviously we need to improve on our performance against Chile and concentrate on breaking down the passages of play Japan will try to do.”
