Team GB vs UAE, the hosts second match in group A was a seemingly must win game for GB to progress to the quarter finals, and just as before it all started so well with that Welsh combination of Bellamy to Giggs working well again as Ryan headed in to become the Olympic football oldest scorer, not a record that he will really appreciate but a much needed goal for a GB side that looked to dominate the match. The UAE team looked promising in their first match against Uruguay, always the underdogs but passed with precision and trickery to boot, Ismaeil Matar and Ahmed Khalil posing a dangerous threat in attack. Fans were comfortable and relaxed as the GB defence of Richards, Tomkins, Caulker and Taylor looked impenetrable while Butland was in impressive form if anything did get through, Tom Cleverley was unfortunate not to extend the lead before half time. GB came out for the next 45 and continued in a comfortable relaxed possession so the UAE equaliser came as a big surprise, a fine passing move with a simple 1-2 then a perfectly weighted through ball and the two English centre backs were undone with Rashed Eisa slotting home well and sending GB fans into immediate distraught. This panic continued as the UAE pile on the pressure only for Butland to come to the rescue saving a close range effort with his feet, fortunately Stuart Pearce recognised the danger and brought on the pacey Scott Sinclair who had a fine season in the premier league with Swansea. The impact was immediate as Bellamy instrumental to the attack again squared to Sinclair just seconds after replacing Giggs, relief for Great Britain and the match was all but over after Sturridge was put through on goal by Sinclair and finished with a delightful chip. The match finished 3-1, still some defencive lapses to sought out but a very promising end to the game.

Man of the match goes between the solid and very capable hands of Jack Butland and Bellamy the Welsh winger impressive in both games showing his cool, calm, and experienced head throughout.



Sinclair and Sturridge celebrate the chipped winner.

UAE knocked out of the competition but with much praise from the GB team

Team GB need just a point to reach the quarter finals and face a Uruguay side that lost 2-0 to a ten man Senegal team but still with the likes of Luis Suarez and Edison Cavani, both capable of producing something special at any given moment. There is hope though as Spain bombed out of the Olympics to a 1-0 defeat to Honduras leaving, for me, Brazil as the outright favourites to take the gold medal who were comfortable 3-1 winners against Belarus with that man Neymar, the Brazilian prodigy once again bringing the wow factor and living up to his very high reputation. However, there is a long way to go in this competition and as we all know in the world of sport, on the day, anything can happen.    

So, the London 2012 Olympics are underway and before I start on the football I'd just like to say what an amazing opening ceremony it was, quintessentially British with many plaudits going to Danny Boyle who directed. It made me very proud of Great Britain and what we can achieve if we all pull together.

Now on to football; Great Britain vs Senegal, a cagey opening match for the hosts who seemingly brushed away the nerves of the thousands of fans that turned up to Old Trafford to witness it in the early stages with a fine goal on the 20 minute mark from the two experienced, and definitely not "passed it", Welshmen as Ryan Giggs put in a cross falling right into Craig Bellamy's path who finished with aplomb. The game was tightly contested with few opportunities as Senegal looked to use pace and strength to get behind the back four or take advantage with their height at set pieces while GB looked content to play the possession game usually resulting in a lack luster effort or a cross to no one. Sturridge looking weary, not quite over his illness that nearly prevented him from competing in the games came off at half time for the promising young Sordell similar players with pace and guile but neither team could make the most of their chances.
There was always this pre-season feel to the GB squad and the team were none too happy at the physicality and brute force of the Senegalese tackling, especially when Ciss the Senegal left back ploughed through Bellamy inside the penalty area causing mass hysteria among players and fans alike. A penalty, surely... But the referee shrugs off the protests and points to a goal kick. Team GB clearly upset and a lapse in concentration is all it takes to change the game, as Konate was put through on goal in a counter attack at 80 minutes and with a precise and delicate finish the scores were levelled, the inquest at the back begun. A poorly worked corner from Team GB at fault for the goal. The game had become more open as Sordell hit the bar in the closing moments, inches away from becoming a cult hero in the squad. Both teams with chances but a distinct lack of togetherness in the GB squad - there was a lot of work to be done if any hopes of a medal were to be kept alive.  

Bellamy celebrates the opening goal

Moussa Konate equalises late on

Caught in possession is a new blog all about football. From transfers to troublemakers, goals to gameplans, or cantracts to controversy across the English football leagues. Opinions are my own, usually backed up by statistics and evidence.

My first proper post will be coming soon on the topic of football in the olympics and of course Team GB.