Team GB recorded a 1-0 win over the USA in the opening match of the competition whilst the Republic of Ireland and the Netherlands drew 2-2, in the adaption of the game for athletes with cerebral palsy.

In the opening match of the sport’s debut at the event, the home crowd cheered GB to victory after Matt Ellis scored the game’s only goal just ten minutes into the first half.

Ellis, who proved a valuable asset in the midfield, was “ecstatic” to score the winning goal which was a deflection from teammate Graham Leclerc’s shot.

Ellis said, “I was ecstatic to score the goal. Michael Baker had many chances too; he is like Cinderella looking for the golden boot. He may have missed chances this match, but I know he will find the back of the net in the next one.”

GB had a number of chances before the end of the half, including some rockets from midfielder Michael Barker. None of these chances materialised into another goal however, largely due to the world class display from the USA defence and the outstanding performance of USA keeper Keith Johnson, who was proclaimed Man of the Match well before the match itself had ended.

“I feel really good about the way we played as a team and I’m proud of my own performance” Johnson said.

“I had a few important saves and the team played well, but we just need to work on finishing.”

GB team captain and goalkeeper Jordan Raynes concluded, “It was a good game to start us off, but we know we can play better. At half time the manager made it clear to the team that our standards were not on top form, but after picking the game up in the second half I am feeling very confident going into the rest of the tournament.”

The second match of the day between the Republic of Ireland and the Netherlands was a thriller from start to finish. Gary Messett scored Ireland’s opener before Iljas Visker bagged a brace for the side in orange. Joey Mense’s own goal levelled the scores, while both sides had chances to claim victory late in the game.

Visker said, “This is my first international event and it feels so good to score in it. I knew I could perform well, but I never thought I would twice within my first match. I am really enjoying being over in Manchester, even with the rain. I love playing football in the rain.

“I hope if I keep playing on form like this I will be selected for the 2012 Paralympics and I can carry on scoring goals there.”

Messett added, “It has been great to play here at the BT Paralympic World Cup; the tournament so far has been superb and very professional. I am very happy with my first goal today, however I know there are so many more goals to come from me in this competition.”

Messett’s opening goal came with ten minutes on the clock, but Visker replied with a screamer 30 yards out, only six minutes later. The power of the Dutch midfielder’s shot took it beyond the reach of keeper Brian McGillivary, into the top right corner.

However it was the Irish who regained the lead when Messett’s volley took a cruel deflection off of Mense and looped over van Breemen, who had already moved to save the initial shot. But their lead was once again short lived, with Visker equalising two minutes later.

The Republic of Ireland had the best chance to steal a winner, five minutes from time, when Jason Moran’s cross deflected off of Lars Conijn and hit the crossbar.

Tomorrow’s schedule will see USA play the Republic of Ireland at 12:30 and then GB take on the Netherlands at 15.15.

Day three also sees the Wheelchair Basketball competition commence, with the GB men and women’s teams in action, against Italy and Canada respectively.

The BBC, the official televised partner to the event, will broadcast live from the Manchester Aquatics Centre on Monday 31 May on BBC Television.

Tickets for the BT Paralympic World Cup are on sale and can be purchased via the event website: www.btparalympicworldcup.com or by calling 0844 8471622. Tickets are priced at £6 per session.

BT is the title sponsor of the Paralympic World Cup; the sponsorship runs up to and includes the 2012 BT Paralympic World Cup.

The BT Paralympic World Cup is sanctioned by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), the Cerebral Palsy International Sports & Recreation Association (CPISRA) and the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) and supported by BT, ParalympicsGB, the FA, Manchester City Council and the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA).

The event schedule will see Athletics on 25 May, Football 7-a-side on 26-29 May and Wheelchair Basketball on 27-30 May, all at the Manchester Regional Arena and Swimming at the Manchester Aquatics Centre on 31 May.

Follow the BT Paralympic World Cup on Twitter: www.twitter.com/BTPWC