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Neymar and Brazil Make a Sluggish Start to Olympic Games Bid
Published: August 5, 2016
It has been a long post-season for the Selecao captain. The last time he had taken the field for a competitive match came almost three months ago, when Barcelona downed Sevilla 2-0 to lift the Copa del Rey.
Neymar was on target in that match, but the endless interval and less-than-ideal preparations for the Olympics on Brazil's side seem to have taken their toll. Certainly in Brasilia's Estadio Mane Garrincha, South Africa looked more alert, in better shape and more likely to make something happen during a disappointing 0-0 draw for the hosts.
Coach Rogerio Micale put out an attacking line-up for the opening match. Neymar played alongside Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Barbosa—two of the most promising young stars in Brazilian football—in an offensive trident, originally lining up on the left-hand side of the field as he does to such devastating effect for Barca.
When it became evident that the captain was being overpowered on the flank, he moved to a more central, deeper position behind the two strikers. But there was no way through. South Africa's flawless defence refused to allow Brazil to dominate, and their speed and power when breaking forward surprised the home team.
Not even when Mothobi Mvala earned a second yellow card could Neymar and Co. break the deadlock. South Africa at that point sensibly pulled back and defended the scoreless draw, inviting their more illustrious rivals to come at them. Micale took the bait, throwing Luan Guilherme de Jesus Vieira on as a fourth forward, but despite Brazil pushing hard, the match meandered into a tie that leaves Group A still wide-open.
Article Source: Bleacher Report - International Football
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