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Japan, Nagai pester Spain before Otsu taps in winner

Japan’s Yuki Otsu celebrates after scoring the lone goal in a 1-0 victory over Spain on Wednesday at Hampden Park Stadium in Glasgow, Scotland.
Japan’s Yuki Otsu celebrates after scoring the lone goal in a 1-0 victory over Spain on Wednesday at Hampden Park Stadium in Glasgow, Scotland.

— Japan produced a major shock in men’s Olympic soccer Thursday, beating medal favorites Spain 1-0.

Japan forward Yuki Otsu broke away from his marker during a corner kick in the 34th minute and the ball landed right at his feet for a simple tap-in past Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea.

Spain started the match with good build-up play and quick passing in the first 20 minutes, but couldn’t break through a solid Japan defense and didn’t have a meaningful shot on goal.

It wasn’t only Japan’s back line that was troubling the Spaniards. Japan forward Kensuke Nagai caused major problems for them throughout the match, slipping behind defenders with quick runs. Spain center back Inigo Martinez was sent off for a foul while trying to stop Nagai from scoring.

Japan took advantage of the extra man in the second half and the match might have been a rout if the shots on goal had been more accurate. Nagai continued to trouble the defense, hitting the post in the 58th minute.

Spain’s under-23 team wants to win Olympic gold to add to the World Cup and European Championship titles held by the country’s full national team. The loss is a huge blow for Spain, touted as one of the favorites to win the tournament, but not insurmountable.

Spain’s national team lost its first group stage match to Switzerland at the 2010 World Cup and then went on to win the tournament.

BRAZIL 3, EGYPT 2

CARDIFF, Wales — Gold-medal favorite Brazil scored three first-half goals then held on for a victory over Egypt in its opening match in Group C.

Rafael opened the scoring in the 16th minute, Leandro Damiao added another in the 26th and Neymar scored in the 30th to give Brazil a 3-0 halftime lead before Egypt made it interesting with goals by captain Mohamed Aboutrika in the 52nd and substitute Mohamed Salah in the 76th.

BRITAIN 1, SENEGAL 1

MANCHESTER, England — Moussa Konate scored late in the second half to lift Senegal to a tie against host Britain.

Welshman Craig Bellamy gave Britain the lead in the first half after Senegal failed to clear a free kick by captain Ryan Giggs.

Senegal scored in the 81st minute when Konate ran to a through ball and chipped it past Britain keeper Jack Butland.

A frantic final few minutes included British substitute Marvin Sordell hitting the bar. Konate’s attempt for a second goal went wide.

GABON 1, SWITZERLAND 1

NEWCASTLE, England — Understrength Gabon rallied for a draw against Switzerland in its Olympic debut.

Admir Mehmedi put Switzerland ahead five minutes into the Group B game by converting a penalty he was forced to retake after Innocent Emeghara was brought down inside the area. Pierre Aubameyang equalized when he collected Alexander Ndoumbou’s floated cross alone inside the area in the 45th and flicked a shot under goalkeeper Diego Benaglio.

BELARUS 1, NEW ZEALAND 0

COVENTRY, England — Dmitry Baga scored in the first half to give Belarus a victory over New Zealand in their Group C opener.

URUGUAY 2, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES 1

MANCHESTER, England — Substitute Nicolas Lodeiro scored in the second half as Uruguay beat the United Arab Emirates.

MOROCCO 2, HONDURAS 2

GLASGOW, Scotland — Ten-man Morocco held on for a draw against Honduras in a Group D opener.

MEXICO 0, SOUTH KOREA 0

NEWCASTLE, England — South Korea wasted a number of scoring chances against Mexico in its Group B matchup.

With forward Giovani Dos Santos on the bench from the start, Mexico showed little promise of being a medal contender as its opponent dominated at St. James Park.

Sports, Pages 28 on 07/27/2012

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