Senegal dent Team GB expectations

Great Britain’s Olympic dreams suffered an unexpected setback at Old Trafford last night as Moussa Konate’s late equaliser for Senegal earned them a 1-1 draw.

Welshman Craig Bellamy put the hosts in front with a clinical volley early in the contest.

But Stuart Pearce’s men were then pushed onto the back foot by the Africans’ ultra-physical approach, which largely went unpunished by Uzbek referee Ravshan Irmatov.

Still, it did seem GB had weathered the worst until Konate struck eight minutes from time.

The hosts pushed forward frantically in search of a winner but they came no nearer than a Marvin Sordell effort that crashed against the bar.

And the greatest damage could yet be felt in the dressing room, with both Bellamy and Joe Allen needing to be checked after sustaining worrying knocks.

Uruguay went top of Group A as they beat UAE 2-1.

Elsewhere, new Chelsea signing Oscar played a starring role as Brazil fended off a brave fightback from Egypt at the Millennium Stadium before winning 3-2 in Group C. The midfielder set up Rafael and Leandro Damiao for the first two Brazil goals, before Neymar made it 3-0.

Brazil took their foot off the gas after the break and were punished as Mohamed Aboutrika and Mohamed Salah pulled goals back for Egypt.

In the other Group C game last night Belarus beat New Zealand 1-0.

Earlier in the day a Spain side featuring Manchester United’s David de Gea, Chelsea’s Juan Mata and Barcelona’s Euro 2012 hero Jordi Alba suffered a shock defeat as Japan claimed a famous 1-0 win in Group D at Hampden Park.

Spain manager Luis Milla believes having to chase the game with 10 men proved decisive. “We were a bit unlucky to have a man sent-off,” said Milla.

“We then had to push forward and take risks and this is not our philosophy.”