NEW QPR signing Ryan Nelsen was unable to prevent New Zealand slipping to defeat in their opening London 2012 Olympics fixture on Thursday night.

Nelsen, who joined Rangers on a free this summer, skippered the All Whites against Belarus at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry.

Dmitry Baga bagged the only goal of the game for Belarus in their Group C opener, leaving Nelsen and co. with a mountain to climb to make the quarter-finals.

The All Whites are back in action on Sunday when they face Egypt, before their final group game against Brazil on August 1st.