Men’s football Group A match played between Brazil and South Africa at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
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Brazil were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by 10-man South Africa in their opening Olympic Games match in Brasilia on Thursday.
With Denmark content to play for a draw, substitute Mohannad Abdul-Rahim almost sparked Iraq to victory, but he could not find a victor.
The Olympic gold medal is the only significant trophy Brazil is yet to win in soccer.
Earlier on Thursday, Iraq and Denmark kicked the tournament off with a 0-0 draw in the same stadium.
What: Brazil plays South Africa in the group stage of the Rio Olympics.
South Africa will be heavy underdogs in the clash but it will be a chance to see if the 2010 World Cup in the country has inspired a new generation of stars.
“We were not anxious, I think the opposite was the case”, he added when asked if opening day nerves played a part in Brazil’s failure to grab all three points.
Itumeleng Khune was called into action after 28 minutes, as the South African shot-stopper produced a fine save to keep out Neymar’s strike from 20-yards out.
“I am so happy to make my appearance, make my mark”.
“Definitely my grandchildren will watch the DVD of this match”.
Mvala was sent off at the 59th minute after getting booked for successive yellow cards in a span of four minutes, but head coach Rogério Micale’s team could not take advantage of it.
Brazil ramped up the pressure.
“We were playing against Neymar, Gabriel Jesus, Rafael Alcantara…no one gave us a chance, but we did well”.
As boos rang from the near-capacity 70,000 crowd around the Mane Garrincha Stadium, Brazil’s captain knew that his side had got off to a poor start in their quest to land Brazil a first gold from the Olympic football competition.
Both sides are on the lookout for fresh talent for the post Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi era.
A goalkeeping error by Geronimo Rulli then sealed the win for Portugal as the Argentina shotstopper let Pite’s tame shot squeeze through his legs. Earlier, Honduras defeated Algeria 3-2 in the other Group D game in Rio.
The Brazilians can earn some measure of redemption after losing 7-1 in the semifinals of the World Cup.
Germany twice answered second-half goals from Mexico as the teams settled for a 2-2 draw in Group C.
The delay didn’t seem to affect the 1996 gold medalists as four goals from Oghenekaro Etebo edged a memorable nine-goal thriller.
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Sweden and Colombia are in action in Manaus in Group B.
