Hockey World League: Sophie Bray doubles up for Great Britain as women close in on 2016 Olympic Games in Rio

Win over China secures favourable quarter-final draw

Sophie Bray is the tournament’s leading scorer, with six goals (Getty Images)

Two goals from the tournament’s leading scorer, Sophie Bray, extended Great Britain’s 100 per cent record at the World League Semi-Final with a 2-0 win over China.

A fourth successive victory in Valencia secured a favourable quarter-final draw and a top-three finish will guarantee them a place at next year’s Olympic Games in Rio.

East Grinstead forward Bray took her tally to five, converting a cutback from Alex Danson after five minutes. Then, with the side down to 10 following Danson’s temporary suspension, she rounded the goalkeeper from Kate Richardson-Walsh’s long pass out of defence with three minutes remaining.

Her second goal put the result beyond doubt after China had finally exerted some pressure in the last quarter, with goalkeeper Maddie Hinch saving a low penalty-corner flick and Giselle Ansley’s overhead clearance from almost under the crossbar keeping a third clean sheet.

“We knew how we had to play and we got the result we needed,” said Bray. “The win keeps the momentum going into the quarter-final.”

Great Britain will tomorrow face either the world No 11 team South Africa or Uruguay, ranked 29th.