GB victory caps golden day - Pearce
Daniel Sturridge, second left, got the game's only goal
Great Britain football coach Stuart Pearce felt his side's 1-0 Millennium Stadium victory over Uruguay had capped a golden day for British sport.
The host nation won their first gold medals of the Games on Wednesday as Bradley Wiggins triumphed in the men's time trial and rowers Helen Glover and Heather Stanning won the women's pair final. Pearce's side ensured the "feelgood factor" continued as the win saw GB top Group A and book a quarter-final meeting with South Korea.
Pearce said: "Today has been a fantastic day with Wiggins winning gold and that spreads right across Great Britain, it brings a feelgood factor to the Olympics and we are glad to have played our part this evening and got the result to get out of the group."
He added: "I also have to mention the women's team, them winning yesterday gave us a real good lift by beating Brazil. They have been playing a day before us and everytime they have got a good result we are trying to emulate them, which is fantastic."
Pearce also praised the support of the 64,000-strong crowd in Cardiff. There had been fears that the national anthem would not be well received in Cardiff, but there were no dissenting voices as God Save the Queen was delivered with gusto.
Pearce's side have shown steady signs of improvement as the tournament has progressed, and they continued to do so here.
The midfield triumvirate of Tom Cleverley, Aaron Ramsey and Joe Allen proving particularly impressive as Ryan Giggs was rested, while captain for the night Craig Bellamy was a nuisance throughout to the Uruguay defence.
Pearce added: "I thought all 18 of the players were fantastic, and it excites me to stay in the competition to play at least one more game with this group. We are improving game by game, our fitness levels are improving, our understanding is improving and some of the passing, especially in the first half, was outstanding."
Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez refused to be critical of his players, as they became the second fancied side to exit the competition along with World and European champions Spain.
He said: "We were looking for something we didn't get from this game. We worked really hard and created chances even though GB in the last 15 minutes of the first half were better and had a lot of possession. We fought until the end and we have nothing to complain to the players about because they gave their all."
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But in the second half, when they started to get under pressure, the accuracy and thinking went to pot and there were hints of panic in their play. Against that they all played as though they cared and wanted to be there. Not something you always see from the older players
Still, if they can hold it together to get through the first of the knock out stages they do look good for a medal. Fingers crossed and so far, well done the lads and Stuart.
Must say this side is a darn site better than watching the old cogs like jog about aimlessly Rooney. etc.
Think it augers well for Stu when he takes over from Roy.
You know, seriously, there are english players that could be swapped for the Welsh lads etc.And visa versa of course.
So this team does auger well for the home teams future.
It's easy to pass the ball when all eleven opposition players are in front of you. Passing the ball on your own 18 yard line doesnt say much.....Pearce when up against a decent team will park the bus as usual.
The English Olympic team will be glad of the token Welsh players as they attacked and they were the stars. Who ever picked Pearce as manager should lose his job too.
