Olympic Soccer: Daniel Sturridge to the Rescue for Team GB

After a thrilling 3-1 win for the hosts, Great Britain’s squad will have to go back to the drawing board, as the win was less than pleasing for Team GB fans. With a relatively easy foe in the United Arab Emirates side, Great Britain had to scrap its way back from an equalizer in the earlier minutes of the second half before winning comfortably.

The game started favorably for Team Great Britain as it found its midfield core orchestrating the flow of the game as they pleased. Tom Cleverley, the Manchester United youngster, established his authority quickly, deterring any potential counter attacks. Aaron Ramsey, out by the lines, put on a separate clinic. In what was a display of speed and skill, Ramsey made mincemeat of the left side of the United Arab Emirates. Giggs, to put it all together, finished it off by finding the back of the net.

[caption id="attachment_264" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Giggs celebrating after his beautiful goal"][/caption]

Deep into the second half, however, Great Britain was fending off far too many heart throbbing scares; it seemed, as some put it, that the “door had come off its hinges.” Great Britain struggled to keep disciplined defensively. Its core, the center midfielders, looked exhausted—even dogging it at certain points, leaving larger and larger holes for the United Arab Emirates to advance through.

In spite of a collapsing defensive unit, Great Britain managed to rally together just in time. Sinclair, a sub for tiring Giggs, netted a late goal after only a few touches on the pitch. Not much later, ailing Sturridge got onto the scoreboard dinking a clever chip shot over the goalie that clinched the victory.

[caption id="attachment_265" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="The standing ovation that greeted the players as they exited the pitch."][/caption]

On this night, however, the credit had to go to the senior, Craig Bellamy. Time and time again, he broke loose, blowing past the outside back and playing in some brilliant balls that whizzed dangerously through the box. The dazzling moves had the audience “oohh-ing” and “ahh-ing.” By the end of the game, he had gnawed away at his critiques’ callous exteriors and exposed their softer, loving insides. He validated his selection with that performance.