Scott Sinclair and Daniel Sturridge made goalscoring contributions from the bench to help Team GB overcome the challenge of the United Arab Emirates at Wembley this evening.
The UAE started the brighter of the two teams as they controlled the possession during the opening exchanges.
However, it was Team GB who broke the deadlock in the 16th minute when Craig Bellamy crossed the ball from the left for captain Ryan Giggs, who nodded the ball into bottom corner of the net from a narrow angle.
Bellamy almost claimed another assist late in the half when he cut the ball back for Tom Cleverley, but the Manchester United midfielder's curling shot struck both posts before it was cleared to safety.
The UAE posed more of an attacking threat after the restart and were almost level in the 51st minute when Ahmed Khalil's low effort struck the outside of Jack Butland's post.
Butland was eventually beaten on the hour mark when Rashed Elsa burst beyond defender James Tomkins, before slotting the ball past the advancing Birmingham City goalkeeper.
The keeper was called into action again moments later to deny Khalil when the midfielder was clear through on goal.
Sinclair then replaced skipper Giggs with 72 minutes on the clock and within 52 seconds the Swansea City winger had put Team GB back in front. Bellamy was again the creator, drilling in a cross which goalkeeper Ali Khaseif spilt into the path of Sinclair, who tapped the ball into an unguarded net.
Fellow substitute Sturridge made sure of the win four minutes later when he lifted the ball over Khaseif following a through pass from Cleverley.
The win has moved Stuart Pearce's side to the top of Group A, while the UAE have been eliminated.
Liam Apicella
