Stuart Pearce Says GB's Medal Haul Inspired Win Over Uruguay

(WFI) Daniel Sturridge’s goal gave Great Britain all they needed to spring a shock win over Uruguay at the Millennium Stadium, a result coach Stuart Pearce said was inspired by GB's medal haul across other Olympic sports in recent days.

GB's men upset one of the pre-tournament favourites only a few hours after the home nation's first gold medals of the 2012 Olympics through rowers Heather Stanning and Helen Glover and Tour de France winner Bradley Wiggins.

"The feel-good factor is spreading and we are delighted to play our part by getting out of the group," Pearce told TheFA.com.

"I have also got to mention the women's team defeating Brazil on Tuesday, it gave us a good lift."

Team GB meet South Korea in the same place on Saturday in the quarter-finals. South Korea played out a scoreless draw with luckless Olympic rookie Gabon at Wembley Stadium on Wednesday.

Senegal, who drew United Arab Emirates 1-1, face Mexico in Coventry. Mexico beat Switzerland 1-0 in Cardiff.

In Newcastle, Brazil beat New Zealand 3-0. Brazil were resting five top players. New Zealand’s only consolation was the loss was less than the 5-0 beating at Beijing 2008.

Egypt beat Belarus 3-1 in Glasgow. Honduras, who had eliminated world and European champions Spain in the last round, played out a scoreless draw with Japan in Coventry.

Japan won Group D with a stingy defence that didn’t allow a goal in three games. Spain also drew 0-0.

Senegal’s Moussa Konate topped the first round goals table with four strikes in three games. Brazil had the best overall goals-for with nine. Spain’s futility was made worse by their dozen cards (11 yellow and one red).

Friday is dominated by women’s quarterfinals, beginning with Sweden and France in Glasgow, defending champions USA and New Zealand in Newcastle, Brazil and Japan in Cardiff and host Great Britain and Canada in Coventry.

Five of FIFA's six confederations are represented in both the men’s and women’s tournaments at the quarter-finals stage.


By INSIDER’s Bob Mackin

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