After a none-too-impressive start to their Olympic football campaign, Neymar and Co will have to buck up when they take on Iraq in their second match today.
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Commented Rio newspaper O Globo: “Inexplicably, Brazil did everything contrary to what they rehearsed and preached for 17 days (in preparation)”.
The expectation is so much so that Neymar, the Barcelona star and Brazilian sensation was drafted into the squad as one of the three over 23 players that are allowed in the squad.
Dolly said it was important to stay grounded despite this being a massive result for the South African football community.
“It’s why we don’t get bothered by touching the ball into Messi, that’s what many people do not understand”, he added. “I believe I have learnt a lot from that mistake”.
However, the Brazilian side boasting Neymar, Manchester City’s new £27 million ($35.4 million) signing Gabriel Jesus and Marquinhos of Paris Saint-Germain did not provide the expected victory procession.
“I think we have to see he is coming off a long holiday period and is regaining the pace of play”, said Micale.
Following Brazil’s 0-0 opening draw with South Africa on Thursday, the host nation’s talisman, Neymar, was mercilessly cast as “greedy” and “missing” by the host nation’s media. The 19-year-old striker said he was ashamed and wouldn’t sleep at night because of the miss.
“For us it is an honour to be here”, said Iraq coach Abdulghani Alghazali.
Still, Brazilian locals were curious about who South Africa’s No 10 was. “The opponent knows that we are under pressure and they can use that against us”.
The upcoming Group D match-ups will thus be Argentina against Algeria and Honduras against Portugal.
Germany played out a entertaining 2-2 draw with 2012 gold medallists Mexico under a torrential downpour in Salvador.
But the little-known South Africans matched the hosts until they had Mothobi Mvala sent off just before the hour.
On 60 minutes Mothobi Mvala was sent off for a second yellow card, and life became more hard for the South Africans, but they held on and earned a useful 1-1 draw against the hosts, who are determined to win their first ever football Olympic gold.
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Japan look to bounce back against Colombia, Denmark meet South Africa with both in search of their first win, whilst Honduras and Portugal face off with both well-placed after opening wins.
