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Thursday, July 26, 2012

Spain suffer shock defeat to Japan

July 26, 2012 -- Updated 1702 GMT (0102 HKT)
Yuki Otsu celebrates his goal against gold medal favorites Spain
Yuki Otsu celebrates his goal against gold medal favorites Spain
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • Japan stun Spain with 1-0 victory
  • Defender Inigo Martinez shown red card after 42 minutes
  • Honduras and Morocco draw Group B opener
  • Mexico and South Korea fire blanks in dull draw

(CNN) -- Tournament favorites Spain have suffered one of the biggest upsets in Olympic football history, losing 1-0 to Japan at Glasgow's Hampden Park on Thursday.

Striker Yuki Otsu found the net in the 33 minute, thumping the ball home from a corner that found its way through a crowded penalty box.

Things got worse for Luis Milla's side as Real Sociedad defender Inigo Martinez was shown a red card minutes before half-time.

It was a harsh decision from American referee Mark Geiger, who sent off Martinez for apparently pulling down Kensuke Nagai as the two players ran towards the Spanish goal.

Spain's Olympic football squad had been expected to add Olympic gold to the country's already impressive collection of titles. The Spanish team recently won its second consecutive European Championship, to add to the 2010 World Cup won in South Africa. Spain also holds the European under 19 and under 21 titles.

The European champions enjoyed more of the ball throughout the 90 minutes, with Chelsea's Juan Mata the key figure in midfield.

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The East End was also home to the notorious cockney gangsters Reggie (right) and Ronnie Kray, who shot a man dead at the Blind Beggar pub in Whitechapel in 1966. The East End was also home to the notorious cockney gangsters Reggie (right) and Ronnie Kray, who shot a man dead at the Blind Beggar pub in Whitechapel in 1966.
The five official Olympic boroughs in London are among Britain's poorest, and billions have been spent on regeneration projects in these areas.The five official Olympic boroughs in London are among Britain's poorest, and billions have been spent on regeneration projects in these areas.
Stratford, where the Olympic Park now stands, was until recently an industrial wasteland and relic of the capital's manufacturing era. Stratford, where the Olympic Park now stands, was until recently an industrial wasteland and relic of the capital's manufacturing era.
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More than 4,000 trees, 74,000 plants and 300,000 wetland plants have been used on the 500-acre site. More than 4,000 trees, 74,000 plants and 300,000 wetland plants have been used on the 500-acre site.
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The epicenter of the chaos in east London was in Hackney, where residents fled their houses and rioters looted stores while battling police.<br/><br/>The epicenter of the chaos in east London was in Hackney, where residents fled their houses and rioters looted stores while battling police.

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While billions have been spent regenerating the areas around the Olympic park, doubts remain as to what the long term legacy of the games will be for east London.While billions have been spent regenerating the areas around the Olympic park, doubts remain as to what the long term legacy of the games will be for east London.
Olympics spotlight east London
Olympics spotlight east London
Olympics spotlight east London
Olympics spotlight east London
Olympics spotlight east London
Olympics spotlight east London
Olympics spotlight east London
Olympics spotlight east London
Olympics spotlight east London
Olympics spotlight east London
Olympics spotlight east London
Olympics spotlight east London
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Olympics spotlight east LondonOlympics spotlight east London

However, they struggled to deal with the pace of Japan's attacks and David De Gea, Manchester United's young goalkeeper, kept his country in contention with several outstanding saves.

Japan, who upset the odds when they beat favorites Brazil at the 1996 Atlanta Games, could have extended their lead as Spain chased an equalising goal, but Nagai and Hotaru Yamaguchi both failed to convert easy chances.

Earlier in the day, Honduras and Morocco got the men's tournament underway with a 2-2 draw that leaves Spain bottom of Group D.

Abdelaziz Barrad opened the scoring for Morrocco, before Honduran forward Jerry Bengtson equalized with a close range tap in. Bengtson, who plays for New England Revolution in the U.S., then put his side ahead with a 65 minute penalty.

However, the lead only lasted two minutes, with Zakaria Labyad chipping the ball over Honduras goalkeeper Jose Mendoza in the 67 minute. Moments later Morocco's Zakarya Bergdich was sent off for kicking out at Mario Martinez, but the African side managed to hold on for a point.

Earlier, Mexico and South Korea got Group B underway with a goalless draw at St. James' Park, Newcastle. Substitute Raul Jimenez went closest for Mexico when he struck the post in injury time, with South Korean captain Jacheol Koo going closest at the other end with a glancing header.

It was a disappointing game between two sides with genuine hopes of making it to the knockout stages.

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