Barcelona forward Neymar was unable to help Brazil make a winning start to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games as the hosts were held to a goalless draw by 10-man South Africa in Brasilia on Thursday. Elsewhere, South Korea thumped Fiji 8-0 – scoring three times in 90 seconds during the second half. Nigeria, who arrived in Brazil just six hours before their opening match against Japan kicked off, won 5-4.
Striker Oghenekaro Etebo scored four times for the African side. Group A – which features Brazil and South Africa – is a four-way tie after Iraqand Denmark also drew 0-0 in front of a sparse crowd inside the Estadio Nacional Mane Garrincha. Brazil, who were booed off by some of the crowd, had the best chance of their game but new Manchester City forward Gabriel Jesus hit the post from two yards out.
South Africa’s Mothobi Mvala was sent off just before the hour after being shown a second yellow card but the London 2012 runners-up could not find a breakthrough. The men’s football tournament started one day before Friday’s opening ceremony because of a packed schedule.
