RIO DE JANERIO, AUGUST 5: Brazil’s search for a first Olympic football gold medal got off to a goalless start as they were held to a frustrating draw against 10-man South Africa here.
Brazil fielded their strongest possible line-up featuring Gabriel Barbosa, recent Manchester City signee Gabriel Jesus and spearheaded by their talismanic captain Neymar, here on Thursday.
However, despite dominating possession and having 21 shots on goal, Brazil were unable to convert their opportunities. Gabriel Jesus had the best chance of the game in the 69th minute when he was able to convert from close range in front of an open net, his strike hitting the post. Although they endured sustained periods of pressure from the Brazilians, especially after going a man down in the 59th minute, South Africa put in a spirited performance and threatened to score on a number of occasions.Their goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune also deserves a special mention after pulling of a string of fine saves to keep the hosts at bay.
Brazil, the most successful football nation on earth, have never won a gold at the Olympics. The hosts believe that Rio 2016 will finally see them break that duck, but they go into their next game against Iraq, on 7 August, knowing that a win is vital if they are to progress from the group stage.
In the earlier games on Thursday, Honduras held on to beat Algeria, despite a late goal, in an exciting game that finished 3-2, while Iraq and Denmark also finished 0-0. Mexico and Germany drew 2-2 and Portugal defeated Argentina 2-0.
On Wednesday, Brazil’s women got their campaign off to a flying start with a convincing 3-0 win against China, at the Olympic Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.
Portugal down Argentina in Olympic soccer
Two second-half goals helped Portugal outplay Argentina 2-0 in the Olympic football tournament opener here. In the match at the Olympic Stadium on Thursday afternoon, however, it was Argentina who dominated in the first half -- albeit without finding the net.
But it were Rui Jorge's squad who really took off in the second half, reports Efe. Paciencia was true to his surname ("Patience"), biding his time until the 66th minute, when he took a pass from the left by Bruno Fernandes and neatly left-footed it into the corner of the net.
And Pite, who had come onto the pitch to replace Sergio Oliveira in the 71st minute, was able to put the exclamation point on the match 13 minutes later with a shot that skittered between the goalkeeper's legs and rolled gently on to nest in the back of the net.
The upcoming Group D match-ups will thus be Argentina against Algeria and Honduras against Portugal. A few hours earlier, in another Group D match, Honduras had gleaned a tough 3-2 victory over Algeria.
