BT PWC 2012: Great Britain up against it after Brazil defeat

By Nicolas Atkin in Manchester, Sportsbeat

IBRAHIMA DIALLO put Great Britain's 7-a-side football team on the comeback trail against Brazil but Jose Guimaraes struck late to put a dent in their hopes of reaching Saturday's BT Paralympic World Cup final.

FRUSTRATED FIGURE: George Fletcher is convinced that Great Britain were good enough to beat Brazil at the BT Paralympic World Cup

Brazil ran out 4-2 winners after giving Great Britain a lesson in clinical finishing, something which Lyndon Lynch's men will have to work on if they are to secure gold in Manchester.

The result means Great Britain will likely need to beat the USA on Thursday ahead of what is shaping up to be a crunch clash with the Republic of Ireland in their final group game.

"If I'm being honest I think we should've won," said Great Britain defender George Fletcher. "We created more chances than them.

"Their goals came from mistakes by us. We just need to work on taking our opportunities in training."

Brazil had Great Britain on the back foot from the first whistle and their early pressure paid off when Wanderson Oliveira smashed home the opener with only six minutes gone.

The host nation responded in style though with defender Josh Beacham whipping in a curling corner that deceived Brazil stopper Marcos Ferreira and nestled into the top corner of his net.

But on the stroke of half-time Yurig Ribeiro delivered a sucker punch by burying the ball from close range to give Brazil a vital lead going into the break.

The game looked to be over after Guimaraes grabbed his first and Brazil's third to set up a seemingly unassailable 3-1 lead.

But the excellent Diallo's powerful finish with ten minutes left on the clock set up a tense finale as Great Britain pushed forward for an equaliser.

Brazil's class told in the end though with a counterattack setting up Guimaraes for his second strike of the afternoon and finishing off any hopes Lynch's side had of getting a result.

The win meant Brazil joined the Republic of Ireland on three points after their 3-1 victory over the USA in the day's opening match.

Luke Evans put Ireland in command just after the quarter-hour before substitute Peter Cotter doubled their in the 43rd minute.

The USA made a fight of it with Rene Renteria clawing one back just five minutes later but Evans grabbed his second late on to secure the win.

The BT Paralympic World Cup is taking place in Manchester from 22-26 May with elite international athletes competing in Athletics, Football 7-aside and Wheelchair Basketball. Go to www.btparalympicworldcup.com for tickets and more information.

©Sportsbeat 2012