Welsh Dragons Roar Life into Team GB: GB 1 Senegal 1

For Great Britain’s first Olympic football match since 1960, there were four Welsh players making their international tournament debut, in the starting XI.

Although the result was disappointing for Team GB, the Welsh players can be proud of the performance they put in.

GB’s goal was a piece of Welsh architecture.

A free kick on the right side of the penalty box was floated in by the left-footed maestro Ryan Giggs, before a poor defensive header enabled Liverpool winger Craig Bellamy to capitalise with a scintillating downward volley which bounced into the top corner.

The Welsh players were outstanding for Team GB—especially the chemistry between Neil Taylor and Bellamy down the wing.

In addition, 22-year-old Joe Allen, who helped Swansea excel in the league last season, was in fine form in the heart of the GB midfield. He managed a vital block to deny a goal-scoring opportunity. His evening lasted 67 minutes before being replaced by Aaron Ramsey.

Ramsey had an immediate impact for GB. His intuitive pass to Danny Rose, enabled the youngster to whip in a cross which found Bellamy, but the usually clinical forward was unable to find the back of the net with his effort.

Bellamy was then at the heart of the action again.

In the 70 minute, he raced through, firing a shot wide but was caught by a crunching tackle from Senegal’s Saliou Ciss. A stone-wall penalty, which was then waved away by referee Ravshan Irmatov.

The Senegal equaliser had been coming. In the first half, Ibrahima Balde failed to capitalise on a mistake by keeper Jack Butland, chipping the ball wide. However, in the 82nd minute, Moussa Konate latched onto a through-ball and chipped the onrushing Butland.

However, Ramsey again was at the heart of the action.

His driving run into the left-hand side of the box enabled him to cut the ball back to substitute Marvin Sordell, who saw his effort thump against the cross bar. Then in the 90th minute, Giggs played a sublime pass into Sordell, but the young striker was unable to score, thanks to a last ditch tackle by Senegal’s Papa Gueye.

After the game, Manchester United midfielder, Tom Cleverley, was full of praise for his Welsh counterparts.

“Giggs and Bellamy have brought abundance of experience” whilst “Tayls (Taylor) Rambo (Ramsey) and Joe Allen have gelled together.”

Michael Marron is a Contributor for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes were obtained first-hand.

This piece was written by Mike of The Reporters' Academy, a media production company run by young people. The Reporters' Academy is integrated into the world of media, education and employment, based in two great sporting cities, Manchester and Melbourne, and is officially Inspired by London 2012.