Khune the star for SA U-23s
Goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune was the star for South Africa’s Under-23 football team against Brazil in the Olympic opening game, making countless crucial saves.
|||Rio De Janeiro - A 10-man South African Men's Olympic Team held hosts Brazil to a goalless draw in the first match of the Rio Olympic Game on Thursday at the Mane Garrincha Stadium in Brasilia.
The entire South African team put up a great fight against an attack-minded Brazil, but goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune was the star of the show as he made countless crucial saves to keep his team in the game.
Owen da Gama's charges looked confident from the first whistle as they managed to settle earlier than the opposition - and they almost took the lead in the third minute but the Brazil goalkeeper was equal to the task, denying Lebo Mothiba.
Neymar and Jesus combined very well throughout the match however neither of their efforts could get past a very determined South African back four, along with Khune.
The visitors were dealt a heavy blow as they had to play with 10 men from the 58th minute after midfielder Mothobi Mvala got his marching orders - this was after he received his second yellow card in a space of few minutes.
Despite playing a man short, the South Africans stuck to their task, putting their bodies on the line as the hosts sensed blood. Brazil threw everything at South Africa but to no avail as Erick Mathoho, Rivaldo Coetzee, Abbubaker Mobara and Deolin Mekoa stood firm at the back - when they were bridged, Khune always came to the rescue.
The hosts tried long range shots, quick interchange passes, crosses and set-pieces but the visitors were equal to the task. It ended 0-0, a very crucial point for South Africa against the much-fancied Brazil.
Da Gama's players next face Denmark on Sunday, at the same venue.
That match is scheduled for 7pm local time (midnight SA time). - African News Agency (ANA)