Spain shocked by Japan 1-0

 LONDON, July 26 (Xinhua) -- Gold medal favorites Spain were upset 1-0 by valiant¹ Japan in their first group match of the London Olympic Games men's football competition on Thursday.

Spain should have felt lucky to lose by only one goal as their passing game deserted² them and allowed Japan 12 shots compared with their six ones.

Spain went behind in the 34th minute as Yuki Otsu arrived unmarked to meet a corner and give Japan an unlikely³ lead. Eight minutes later, the Spaniards' hopes to equalise were dashed as their midfielder Inigo Martinez were sent off

It was the first time the Japanese had ever beaten the World and European champions at any level.

Great Britain were held to a 1-1 draw by Senegal. Craig Bellamy put the hosts ahead in the 20th minute, and Senegal pulled even with eight minutes to go.

Brazil survived a late assault⁴ by Egypt to win 3-2. The Brazilians raced to a three-goal lead in the first 30 minutes as Rafael, Leandro Damiao and Neymar found the net.

Egypt regrouped in the second half as Mohamed Abo Trika and Mohamed Salah scored, but Brazil held to win.

In other matches of the day, Honduras drew with Morocco 2-2, Mexico were held to a goalless draw by the Republic of Korea, Uraguay beat UAE 2-1, and Belarus beat New Zealand 1-0.

1 valiant   

adj.勇敢的，英勇的；n.勇士，勇敢的人

参考例句：

• He had the fame of being very valiant.他的勇敢是出名的。
• Despite valiant efforts by the finance minister,inflation rose to 36%.尽管财政部部长采取了一系列果决措施，通货膨胀率还是涨到了36%。

2 deserted   

adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的

参考例句：

• The deserted village was filled with a deathly silence.这个荒废的村庄死一般的寂静。
• The enemy chieftain was opposed and deserted by his followers.敌人头目众叛亲离。

3 unlikely   

adj.未必的，多半不可能的；不大可能发生的

参考例句：

• It was very unlikely that he would do that.他不见得会做那种事。
• It is unlikely that she will come. 她不大可能来了。

4 assault   

v.猛烈地攻击，袭击；n.突然而猛烈的攻击

参考例句：

• She appeared in court on charges of kidnapping and assault.她因受到拐骗和侵犯人身的指控而出庭。
• The trainees were put through an assault course.受训人员接受了突击训练课程。