LONDON 2012 OLYMPIC GAMES FOOTBALL | SPAIN 0 - JAPAN 1

Unexpected start for the SPANISH OLYMPIC FOOTBALL TEAM this afternoon against JAPAN after losing 0 - 1 in their Group London 2012 OLYMPIC GAMES match opener. Yes, the direct red card given in the 41st min to IÑIGO MARTINEZ was maybe harsh in its interpretation & left Spain down with 10 men for the rest of the game. However, this should not serve as an excuse & serve more as a motivational sign that this is more serious than initially thought with the "favourites" tag around their necks.

Japan scores against Spain

The Japanese goal came before the red card to Spain. In the 34th min OTSU scored inside the square basically alone from a defensive mark. A well deserved goal for the "quick" Japanese team as Spain was no where up to this point & not playing its usual dominating Football game. In fact, if they were "out" before the red card Spain was even less favoured thereafter with 10 men. Spain did improve late but the "psychological damage" was already done & the nerves frozen the young Spanish players from being effective.

This has a positive side effect on Spain, as it will get their heads into the work mode & forget about past Championships glories this year. The loss is not a disaster as the two other Group teams Morocco & Honduras drew their match. What is clear is that Spain must win their next Group matches which beforehand are possible but are also dangerous.
Match details:

Spain 0: De Gea; Montoya, Domínguez, Íñigo Martínez, Jordi Alba; Javi Martínez, Koke (Tello, 81’); Mata, Isco (Oriol Romeu, 62’), Rodrigo; & Adrián (Ander, 55’). 


 Japan 1: Gonda; H. Sakai (G. Sakai, 73’), Yoshida, Suzuki, Tokunaga; Kiyotake, Ohgihara (Yamamura, 86’), Yamaguchi, Otsu (Saito, 46’); Higashi & Nagai.

Goals: 0-1 (34’) Otsu

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