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Team GB success inspired us to beat Uruguay - Stuart Pearce

By Paul FletcherBBC Sport at the Millennium Stadium

Last updated on .From the section Olympicscomments163

Great Britain coach Stuart Pearce said his team were inspired by other GB competitors after they defeated Uruguay in Cardiff to reach the quarter-finals.

The 1-0 victory came after GB struck gold in rowing and Bradley Wiggins triumphed in cycling's time trial.

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

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

Daniel Sturridge scored the only goal at a passionate and atmospheric Millennium Stadium as GB eliminated Uruguay to finish top of Group A and set up a quarter-final tie against South Korea at the same venue on Saturday.

Pearce added: "It excites me to stay in the competition for at least one more match because we have improved game by game, the fitness levels are improving, as is the understanding.

"I am delighted to be out of the group, looking back you can see how tough it was, but I think over three matches we deserved to come top, the team has got stronger and stronger.

"Now it is about recovery and preparing for Saturday. My feet are on the floor and [I'm aware of] the magnitude of the next game in front of us."

South Korea finished second behind Mexico in Group B after two goalless draws and a victory over Switzerland.

"I watched South Korea when they beat Senegal 3-1 in a friendly at Stevenage," stated Pearce.

"They are a hard working side. We did not know who we would be playing in the quarter-finals if we got through but we have had scouts at every game and we have footage of them playing."

Pearce was candid about his team's medal prospects now they are one win away from guaranteeing a bronze medal match at the very least.

"We have only ever planned and prepared to win the tournament," said the GB coach.

"The coaches of all the teams in the last eight know they will have two shots at getting a medal if they get to the semis.

"Because even if you are unsuccessful in the semi-finals you get the shot at the bronze, so the importance of this next game is very high."

Wednesday's match was played in front of more than 70,000 in the Millennium Stadium - and the passionate crowd generated a superb atmosphere as GB held on against a Uruguay team desperate to extend their Olympic campaign but are now heading home.

"When I look back three or four weeks people were telling me there would be a negative response in Cardiff but I have not seen that," added Pearce.

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163 comments

  • Comment posted by The Academy, at 09:49 2 Aug 2012

    34: Suarez does cheat; as do 99% of all professional footballers. The public have always loved a pantomime villain but sometimes it goes to far and it's getting that way for Suarez now.

  • Comment posted by The Realist, at 11:51 2 Aug 2012

    @107

    You overestimate the talent on some of England's youngsters. Allen and Taylor for instance are dead cert starters for a full blown GB-Under in the World Cup U-20's if such a team was to exist.

    Bellamy is more effective than anyone who plays on the right for England senior team and Ashley Williams has showed for both Swansea and Wales he is worthy of a place in a senior GB team.

  • Comment posted by alan, at 10:24 2 Aug 2012

    "We have only ever planned and prepared to win the tournament," said the GB coach. What a great attitude. There's no point in being there otherwise, but I've heard too many managers in the past saying "we hope to get through the group stage"
    Well done Stuart. I'm delighted with the progress of both TeamGB Football teams.

  • Comment posted by mopeysky, at 13:12 2 Aug 2012

    On topic, yes I think pearce is right, the success of the other GB Olympians will encourage the footballers.
    I also hope the respect shown by Olympians (most) of every sport shown for their opponents would rub of on the footballers and the fans.

  • Comment posted by Dr Feelgood, at 12:39 2 Aug 2012

    In the first game there was a lot of booing which some might think was aimed at the players but in fact it was related to the Mexican wave going round the stadium. A section of the crowd was not playing along (VIP's i guess) to which the crowd boo'd. Even the commentators though they were booing their own team....

  • Comment posted by User0457716352, at 12:47 2 Aug 2012

    Suarez was booed because he's an odious slug. He deserves it.

  • Comment posted by media_lies, at 12:42 2 Aug 2012

    It was refreshing to see the sportsmanship shown by the players throughout the majority of the game. Probably down to the fact they are playing for glory and national pride as opposed to £millions in TV revenue.

  • Comment posted by User0473617798, at 08:46 2 Aug 2012

    Warming to the GB Football team who are up for it. Still not sure they will value an Olympic medal as much as the Track and Field Athletes, Rowers, Swimmers and Cyclists etc

  • Comment posted by mopeysky, at 09:39 2 Aug 2012

    Pleased for the lads, looking better with each game. Hope ythey make it to the medals games.
    Disgusted with some of the fans, have some respect for other countries national anthems. Just shows the low brow mentality of some football fans.

  • Comment posted by User0695690402, at 07:53 2 Aug 2012

    Literally cannot watch the football without the sound off as Jonathan Pearce's non-stop rubbish commentary angers me to the core. He just about qualifies to commentate on Robot Wars, just, but not professional football. Very frustrating indeed.

  • Comment posted by MrBlueBurns, at 12:25 2 Aug 2012

    #118 Almostajoker

    And how do his actions in that respect differ to the majority of players that we see week in, week out?

  • Comment posted by BaggiosPonytail, at 11:20 2 Aug 2012

    @80 JoshG

    We are playing South Korea not North Korea.

    @82 fantasyyirma

    We can't play Brazil in the final, only in the semi.

  • Comment posted by BaggiosPonytail, at 09:49 2 Aug 2012

    @31 Dr Russ CEng

    I think Bellamy has been the best GB player in our first 3 games.

    The midfield has looked tidy but I do think we look vulnerable at the back.

  • Comment posted by MrBlueBurns, at 11:27 2 Aug 2012

    #81 eduard_streltsov_ghost

    Football as a whole ain't looking good with all this. It breeds a nasty, viscous undercurrent which I believe goes beyond sporting rivalry.

    Next season, dogs abuse at:-

    Liverpool/Man U - Suarez/Evra and probably still Rooney - remember when someone threw a phone at him?
    Chelsea/Man U - re Rio's comments and how he has involved himself
    Chelsea/QPR - Ferdinand/Terry

  • Comment posted by User0796976629, at 11:13 2 Aug 2012

    #76 Frimpong has been fined and his excuse of not knowing that the term he used was offensive has some credibility given that English is not his first language and that some Tott fans use it themselves. Re: Rio. It is complete stupidity to re-tweet a comment that racially attacks a fellow professional esp as he knew he was a high profile character in this case. Drop him so there's no need to boo.

  • Comment posted by User0073346504, at 10:57 2 Aug 2012

    A good win for team GB that more importantly keeps us the other side of the draw to Brazil. I think the Brazilians have the gold in the bag but every chance of picking up a silver or bronze now!

    Go GB!

  • Comment posted by MrBlueBurns, at 11:39 2 Aug 2012

    Oh, and another thing. I've resisted thus far this summer, but, if it really is that much hard work for Lawrensen to sit around and make worthwhile comments about football he is watching for free, then it's time he shuffled off.

    The only decent thing he said all evening was about Bellamy leaving the pitch quicker than Cavanni had managed to move all night.

  • Comment posted by User0362788341, at 10:58 2 Aug 2012

    The crowd boo but that is a reflection of what they see or how the player behaves on and off the pitch. Footballs problem is that it allows all the play acting, players trying to get others sent off, tugging at shirts, swearing and abusing each other, players getting a brush of a hand and going down like Lennox Lewis has whacked them. Refs should send them off until the behaviour changes

  • Comment posted by dogeared, at 09:23 2 Aug 2012

    @27

    Maybe you can tell us why Craig Bellamy was booed at Old Trafford?

    It's fairly obvious who is doing the booing - it's shameful that club rivalry leaks onto the national stage and brings the nation down the the level of moronic scumbags.

  • Comment posted by The Realist, at 10:37 2 Aug 2012

    Team GB beat Uruguay with the wrong defence. Pearce had it correct again UAE where Taylor and Richards were allowed to play in their correct positions, but last night, like in the first game they playing in positions they don't play in for club. In fact, Taylor is a left side player not right.

    And despite this... Team GB won. They are now the dark horses for Gold.

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