Rio 2016: 10-man South African team holds Brazil to 0-0 draw
Fri Aug 05, 2016 08:16:am Sports
4.9K By Buchi Obichie
Brazil's quest for a maiden Olympic football gold medal got off to a bad start on Thursday, after the Neymar-led team were held to a 0-0 draw, as they played against a formidable 10-man South African team.
Superstar Captain of the Brazilian football team, Neymar, is under a lot of pressure, as he has been tasked with restoring pride to Brazilian football after a catastrophic 7-1 semi-final defeat to Germany on home soil at the 2014 World Cup.
However, he endured a frustrating afternoon on a sandy and slow surface in Brasilia as the South Africans held out despite Mothobi Mvala's red card; prompting the crowd to boo loudly at the hosts, when the final whistle was blown.
"For us the draw is a defeat," said Neymar.
"The team went on the field to win, we know our responsibility, we know it isn't going to be easy.
"It is not just a case of turning up and winning the gold medal."
The highly anticipated match drew a 70,000 strong crowd.
Group A is now in a four-way tie on one point after Iraq and Denmark also played out a scoreless draw.
Superstar Captain of the Brazilian football team, Neymar, is under a lot of pressure, as he has been tasked with restoring pride to Brazilian football after a catastrophic 7-1 semi-final defeat to Germany on home soil at the 2014 World Cup.
However, he endured a frustrating afternoon on a sandy and slow surface in Brasilia as the South Africans held out despite Mothobi Mvala's red card; prompting the crowd to boo loudly at the hosts, when the final whistle was blown.
"For us the draw is a defeat," said Neymar.
"The team went on the field to win, we know our responsibility, we know it isn't going to be easy.
"It is not just a case of turning up and winning the gold medal."
The highly anticipated match drew a 70,000 strong crowd.
Group A is now in a four-way tie on one point after Iraq and Denmark also played out a scoreless draw.
Related News
Leave a comment...