No British side has qualified for the men's Olympic football tournament since 1960 and Stuart Pearce's squad found themselves chasing shadows for long periods as they went down 2-0 at Middlesbrough's Riverside stadium to a Brazilian outfit featuring an array of established stars.

Brazil are using London 2012 to build a team for the next World Cup on home soil and looked ominously strong and fit.

Pearce ideally would love to have been allowed to select from England's European Championship squad but had to settle, in a way, for second best and knows his team – who suffered a 1-0 defeat by Mexico in an indoor workout last weekend – will have to improve radically if they want to win a medal.

But for several outstanding saves from Birmingham City goalkeeper Jack Butland, a second-half substitute, Brazil, who host the next Olympics in 2016 but are surprisingly seeking their first ever gold medal, would have added to a looping header from Sandro (pictured above, centre) and a penalty from the mercurial Neymar.

It was at times eerily quiet inside the stadium while Team GB, who open their Olympic account against Senegal on Thursday next week, went through a serious learning curve. 

Brazil open their Olympic campaign against Egypt in Cardiff and on this showing will be serious contenders for gold.

The Brazilians' composure and movement were at times too much to handle but Pearce will rightly point out that his squad, who improved in the second half, have hardly played together before.

Brazilian midfielder Sandro (centre) scores the opening goal against Team GB

Skipper Ryan Giggs and his Welsh teammate Craig Bellamy, two of Team GB's overage players, played for just over 60 minutes before being rested ahead of the Senegal fixture at Old Trafford, 24 hours before the Games' Opening Ceremony.

Pearce was magnanimous in defeat, admitting Brazil were far superior to his 18-man squad, most of whom have never faced such talented opposition.

"We have played against one of the outstanding Olympic sides who were well ahead of us in terms of fitness and games together," he said.

"Some of my players have never played at this level before.

"We need to show more punch.

"Do I think the team are ready?

"No.

"Next Thursday we'll be a lot closer.

"We will get stronger and stronger."

The veteran Giggs said he was very proud to be involved.

"We've only been together for two weeks and it was a good benchmark.

"We've got six days to get ready for Senegal." 

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