Audio By Carbonatix
Brazil were held to a 0-0 draw by South Africa in their Olympic Games opener at Estadio Nacional Mané Garrincha in Brasilia.
Brazil, who have never won the Olympic gold, started with a highly rated front three of Neymar, new Manchester City signing Gabriel Jesus, and Gabriel Barbosa, the 19-year old Santos striker who is expected to head to Europe before the transfer window shuts.
But the little-known South Africans matched them until they had Mothobi Mvala sent off 10 minutes into the second half.
Brazil pinned the visitors down for the rest of the game but could not score.
"That's football," Barbosa told television cameras after the game. "Sometimes the ball doesn't go in the net."
Barcelona striker Neymar had two of Brazil's best chances, forcing keeper Itumeleng Khune to make diving saves to thwart two rasping drives from outside the box.
Brazil player Neymar (L) vies for the ball with South Africa player Tyroane Sandows during their Rio 2016 Olympic Games First Round Group A men's football match Brazil vs South Africa, at the Mane Garrincha Stadium in Brasilia on August 4, 2016AFP
Jesus smacked the ball off the post from two yards out when it looked easier to score. And Barbosa should have done better when he scuffed a shot with only the keeper to beat.
But a big crowd in the National stadium in Brasilia went home unhappy after the second game of the day ended goalless.
Earlier on Thursday, Iraq and Denmark kicked the tournament off with a 0-0 draw in the same stadium.
The first goals in the competition came soon after in Rio, where Honduras beat Algeria 3-2 in an enthralling match.
The opening ceremony for the Rio Games takes place on Friday but the men's football tournament began 24 hours earlier, a day after the women's football teams began their quest for gold. Twelve women's teams are in Brazil, along with 16 men's sides.
The Olympic football competition is being played in host city Rio de Janeiro and six other cities.
Latest Stories
-
University of Ghana suspends lectures as heavy rains and flooding batter Accra
2 minutes -
University of Ghana suspends lectures as flooding prompts emergency safety measures
5 minutes -
Man swims with horse through floodwaters as another rescues goat in Adabraka
9 minutes -
NPP National Council dismisses petition seeking to bar Afoko from chairmanship race
9 minutes -
CPP calls for emergency naval deployment as Accra floods worsen, urges urgent safety measures
22 minutes -
Church in Alajo flooded; residents trapped as water reaches neck level
24 minutes -
Caprice–Circle stretch submerged as flooding engulfs fuel stations, sparks safety fears in Accra
52 minutes -
Bawumia calls for swift emergency response to flood disaster
1 hour -
Bawumia sympathises with flood victims, calls for public cooperation with authorities
1 hour -
High Court sets July 20 for judgment in Wontumi mining trial
1 hour -
Ejura-Sekyedumase assembly supports more than 130 persons with disabilities with business, education and medical assistance
1 hour -
One electrocuted as floods overwhelm Accra after several hours of heavy rains
1 hour -
Heavy rain disrupts market day trading activity in Ho
2 hours -
Rains to persist, spread to southwestern Ghana – Meteo Agency warns
2 hours -
Bahas Mental inmates appeal for medications amid rising substance abuse cases in Upper West
2 hours