Great Britain didn't get off to the best of starts at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. Having been soundly dispatched by Brazil in last week's preseason friendly, Stuart Pearce's men had to hit the ground running against Senegal in their match at Old Trafford. They ... didn't.
Great Britain Vs. Senegal, 2012 Olympics: Final Score 1-1 After Senegal Draw Level Late
Although "Team GB" took the lead in the 20th minute after Liverpool's Craig Bellamy hammered home a shot following a free kick, they suddenly became far less adventurous in the second half, allowing their guests to get back into the match and eventually earn a 1-1 draw.
Senegal were putting significant pressure on Great Britain throughout the second half, although Bellamy should have won a penalty after being fouled in the box by Saliou Ciss while the match was still 1-0. The refereeing error cost Great Britain, as they were hit on the break with eight minutes to go, with a corner somehow turning into a brilliant through ball by Moussa Konate, who finished coolly past Jack Butland.
Substitute centre forward Marvin Sordell had a chance to put the British side back ahead four minutes later, rattling the crossbar after fine work on the left by Aaron Ramsey, and he had a penalty shout shortly thereafter when Abdoulaye Ba got a combination of man and ball on Ryan Giggs' through ball. That would be the last major chance of the game, as Great Britain ran out of steam (not to mention cutting edge). They'll play the United Arab Emirates in their next match before a painful-looking fixture against Uruguay to close out the group.
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