Ajax Amsterdam’s Nicolas Lodeiro played the perfect substitute when he struck a second half match-winner to help former two-time champions Uruguay get off with a 2-1 win over debutants UAE in the football competition of the 2012 London Olympics here on Thursday.
Led by Liverpool striker Luis Suarez and the likes of Edinson Cavani of Napoli, Liverpool’s Sebastian Coates and Nicolas Lodeiro of Botafogo, the much fancied ‘Le Celeste’ were matched well by the UAE till the 56th minute strike from Lodeiro that gave them full points.
The UAE took the lead through skipper Esmail Mattar in the 23rd minute, only to see the South Americans – gold medalists in 1928 and 1932 – equalise in the 42nd minute from a Gaston Ramirez free kick.
The UAE took their time at settling down early in the match and could have taken the lead in the fifth minute itself when captain Esmail Mattar guided the ball wide after receiving from Ahmad Khalil.
Five minutes later, Omar Abdul Rahman came up with some classy display inside the area, but tripped after getting past Liverpool defender Sebastian Coates.
Better ball possession
Though the UAE enjoyed better ball possession it was Uruguay who continued pressing with four of their five corners coming in the opening 20 minutes.
Mattar rightfully opened the scoring on the evening in front of the 40,000 plus crowd when he accepted a lovely through ball from Omar Abdul Rahman, beat the off-side trap and placed into an open goal.
Two minutes later, the UAE could have doubled their lead had Khalil not taken that extra second to shoot at goal after receiving from Rashid Eisa.
Content with the lead, the UAE kept possession even as Napoli striker Cavani and Suarez fell behind to assist.
Near to second goal
The UAE nearly got a second goal in the 39th minute when a Mattar header travelled just wide off the upright following a cross from the left by Omar Abdul Rahman.
Three minutes from half-time the South Americans got the equaliser when Bologna’s Gaston Ramirez curled a free kick over the UAE defensive wall.
Uruguay re-trooped well in the second session and did well to take the lead in the 56th minute when Lodeiro hammered home from close after being set up by captain Suarez’s run down the line.
The UAE could have got a much-needed equalizer in the 78th when Khalil guided an Omar Abdul Rahman pass wide with goalkeeper Martin Campana beaten.
Uruguay then held possession and denied the UAE any further attempt on goal, barring a lame try from substitute Esmail Al Hammadi towards the end that changed nothing for the Uruguay.
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