By Paul Woloszyn

Losing to Japan ended Great Britain's Olympic hopes

Great Britain's dream of qualifying for the 2010 Winter Olympics is over after they lost 2-1 to Japan in Poland.

It was a must-win game for GB after they lost their opening game at the pre-qualifying tournament for a place in Vancouver to the hosts on Thursday.

Japan took the lead 18 minutes into the match in Sanok but Britain ended the first period level when Jonathan Weaver struck back within a minute.

But Daisuke Obara's deflected goal in the second session proved decisive.

Great Britain were looking to bounce back after losing their opening game 1-0 on penalties, after the match had finished 2-2 at the end of 60 minutes and overtime.

Despite some fine saves by Stephen Murphy against the Poles, coach Paul Thompson decided to change netminders for the second game, with Belfast's Stevie Lyle getting the nod.

Lyle did not have much to do for the majority of the first period with his side having the better of the opening stages, but failing to make the most of chances which fell to Colin Shields, Greg Chambers and Matt Myers.

Then, against the run of play, Japan took the lead, Go Tanaka shooting from the right circle just as a powerplay had ended.

But it did not take long for Great Britain to strike back. Just 43 seconds later, captain Weaver lead by example with a thunderbolt from just inside the blueline on the left side.

They could not maintain that momentum into the second period, though, and a lacklustre display was punished eight minutes in when Japan scored a shorthanded goal as Obara's powerful shot was deflected in off Weaver's stick.

Myers and David Clarke both had chances to restore parity once more before the second intermission, while Paul Sample saw an effort ruled out, but a breakthrough was not forthcoming.

The frustration continued into the final period as Britain dominated possession without creating many clear cut chances.

The best they could muster was a Weaver shot which Clarke was unable to get a touch to, despite having the goal at his mercy.

The defeat means GB have just one point going into their final game against Romania on Sunday.

"The result's frustrating but the performance wasn't," said coach Thompson.

"It was the goalscoring and the opportunities that was the frustrating part.

"We had a strong first period, but in the second I felt that for 10 or 12 minutes Japan started coming back at us but we recovered and we did enough to win the game tonight.

"We had more than enough chances from guys who you would expect to score in those positions.

"I said to the guys you're representing Great Britain and you should be proud of that so it won't be difficult for them to get up for the game against Romania.

"So we're going to go out there and we're going to look to get a win on the board. Not only that but a win with style, a win with passion and a win with flair."

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