“The whole team does”.
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Brazil’s inability to medal was heartbreaking for Marta, the talented five-time Federation Internationale de Football Association world player of the year, who was finally getting the attention she has deserved from her native country. The two-time Federation Internationale de Football Association coach of the year had long planned to step down following the Rio Games.
He pointed out that none of his players were involved in the World Cup semi-final – with the Olympic squads only able to feature three players aged older than 23.
Still, the Olympics started disastrously for the hosts.
Brazil arrived as the main title-favorite but struggled in the beginning, being held to scoreless draws against South Africa and Iraq and becoming in danger of failing to advance past the group stage. He said that he will step down as the captain of the Brazil national team. Neymar was taunted with fans shouting Marta’s name at his matches, while Marta was honored with fans chanting “Better Than Neymar!” at hers. More golds followed – from boxer Robson Conceicao and pole vaulter Thiago Braz da Silva, whose shock victory made newspaper front pages the following day.
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Meyer nearly responded immediately for Germany, first inadvertently with a free-kick of his own that was deflected amongst a crowd of players in the box before finding its way onto the Brazil crossbar once again, and then with a volley from the resulting corner, which was well saved by goalkeeper Weverton down to his right. “Say something to the people and to the football community, by doing something different”, Micale said.
“I thought we were out, honestly”. We’re skilled and competent.
As captain, and one of the over-age players in the under-23 squad, he proved to be ideal leader material, chasing back to help out in defence as much as he kept his cool in front of goal. “That’s the way we are”. “It was a disaster and we want revenge”, one said. We go to extremes. “But I’m truly happy to be a Brazilian”.
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But that all changed on Saturday night in the bowels of the Maracana with one blast from Neymar’s right foot. The U.S. medal haul also included Matthew Centrowitz winning the 1,500-meters – the first American to take gold in the event in more than 100 years. This was a landmark victory over a country that had inflicted an humiliating 7-1 defeat on it two years ago, in the semifinal of its own World Cup.
