Tokyo 2020: Great Britain’s women need to create own legacy by qualifying – Mark Hager

Great Britain’s women must “create their own legacy” by taking their last chance to secure a place at the 2020 Olympics, says head coach Mark Hager.

The Olympic champions face world number 18 side Chile over two legs on consecutive days at Lee Valley in London this weekend.

Great Britain’s men play Malaysia, with Olympic qualification also on the line.

“People look at this team as though it’s the team that won in Rio and it’s not,” Hager told BBC Sport.

“There are only seven of those women still in the team.

“It’s a new side and a new era and they’ve got to create their own legacy going forwards.”

For both the women’s and men’s Olympic qualifying play-offs, the team with the highest aggregate score across the two ties will qualify for Tokyo, while the loser will miss out.

Great Britain’s women have never previously faced Chile – nicknamed Las Diablas – in a competitive game.

Goalkeeper Maddie Hinch, one of the members of that gold medal-winning side, said she is relaxed about the challenge despite facing unknown opponents and the high stakes of the two-match series.

“When people use the language ‘do or die’ it sounds like the world is ending, so of course it makes it a nervy occasion,” she said.

“It’s like going into an exam knowing you’ve done all your homework – you have to feel ready and that’ll get rid of the fear. That’s how we’ll approach this weekend.

“We might start a bit nervy because of what’s on the line but once we’re settled we should start connecting and showing the progress we’ve made.”