Palmeiras are now third in the Campeonato Brasiliero Serie A, one point behind leaders Corinthians with 21 games remaining.
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Host team Brazil will look to redeem themselves from a disappointing opening round performance in the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics men’s football competitions as they face lowly Iraq, who pulled off a draw with Denmark, at the Estádio Nacional Mané Garrincha in Brasília on Sunday, August 7.
Some fans in the 69,000 crowd at the National stadium booed the team as they left the field but coach Rogerio Micale said the reaction would serve to steel his young charges. He said they were scheduled to arrive in Manaus in time to play the match, but the team faced the uncomfortable situation of making its debut nearly immediately after a lengthy flight. “We can’t be affected by that if it happens”.
Barcelona striker Neymar had two of Brazil’s best chances, forcing goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune to make diving saves to thwart two rasping drives from outside the box. We came here as an underdog to play against the host team, but we managed to play as a team.
“It would be ideal to score early”, Micale said. We must play our football. We have to stay calm.
“For us it is an honour to be here”, said Iraq coach Abdulghani Alghazali.
“This pressure certainly is a weapon that can be used”, he said through a translator.
Wéverton starts in goal, while Thiago Maia, Renato Augusto and Felipe Anderson will play in midfield.
The goals also came in the second half at the same venue earlier in the evening, when Mexico drew 2-2 with Germany. “We understand them, football is like that. Hopefully in this next game the ball will go in and we can get the victory”.
Despite the second-half dismissal of midfielder Mothobi Mvala for a second yellow card, a stubborn South Africa defence held firm to register a point. “But that moment has passed”. “We know it is hard in any competition, but if we have the support of the fans it will make things easier and help our players”.
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A slip-up against Iraq in Brasilia would be unimaginable for the hosts, but their opponents enjoyed the better of their opening 0-0 draw with Denmark. Available this week in Brazil for the first time, not coincidentally on the eve of the Rio Olympics, the game involves players using their smartphones to track down the virtual creatures.
