Disastrous end to Spain's treble bid
Source: AFP |
July 31, 2012, Tuesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
SPAIN'S bid to add the Olympic title to its World and European crowns ended in acrimony on Sunday after a shock 0-1 defeat by Honduras left it unable to reach the knockout stage.
Title favorite Brazil, inspired by Neymar, swept into the quarterfinals after coming from behind to beat Belarus 3-1 at Old Trafford in Manchester with Neymar scoring and creating the other two.
It was joined in the last eight by Japan, which followed up its win over Spain last Thursday with another 1-0 win over Morocco.
Spain hit the woodwork three times against Honduras after conceding an early goal in Newcastle. A strong Spanish appeal for a penalty was waved away in the final minutes and at the final whistle the Spaniards surrounded the referee in an animated protest.
Spain's Under-23 team in London featured three players from the senior squad that retained its European title on July 1.
Spain coach Luis Milla, asked if the success of the senior team had put more pressure on his side, said: "Yes it is possible that the pressure did impact on us, but this is a team full of players who compete at the highest level."
Honduras lost all three group matches in Beijing four years ago but held on after Roger Espinoza's cross from the left was met by Jerry Bengtson who rose superbly above Jordi Alba to power his header past David De Gea.
Host Britain won its first Olympic match since it last competed in Rome in 1960, beating the United Arab Emirates 3-1 at Wembley.
Its opening goal came from skipper Ryan Giggs, who at 38 years and 243 days became the oldest man to appear in the Olympic soccer finals and also the oldest scorer after heading home in the 16th minute. Britain sealed victory with late goals from substitutes Scott Sinclair and Daniel Sturridge and top Group A on goals scored from Senegal which stunned Uruguay 2-0 earlier.
Title favorite Brazil, inspired by Neymar, swept into the quarterfinals after coming from behind to beat Belarus 3-1 at Old Trafford in Manchester with Neymar scoring and creating the other two.
It was joined in the last eight by Japan, which followed up its win over Spain last Thursday with another 1-0 win over Morocco.
Spain hit the woodwork three times against Honduras after conceding an early goal in Newcastle. A strong Spanish appeal for a penalty was waved away in the final minutes and at the final whistle the Spaniards surrounded the referee in an animated protest.
Spain's Under-23 team in London featured three players from the senior squad that retained its European title on July 1.
Spain coach Luis Milla, asked if the success of the senior team had put more pressure on his side, said: "Yes it is possible that the pressure did impact on us, but this is a team full of players who compete at the highest level."
Honduras lost all three group matches in Beijing four years ago but held on after Roger Espinoza's cross from the left was met by Jerry Bengtson who rose superbly above Jordi Alba to power his header past David De Gea.
Host Britain won its first Olympic match since it last competed in Rome in 1960, beating the United Arab Emirates 3-1 at Wembley.
Its opening goal came from skipper Ryan Giggs, who at 38 years and 243 days became the oldest man to appear in the Olympic soccer finals and also the oldest scorer after heading home in the 16th minute. Britain sealed victory with late goals from substitutes Scott Sinclair and Daniel Sturridge and top Group A on goals scored from Senegal which stunned Uruguay 2-0 earlier.
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