- Commissioner’s statement on Ventura, Marte
- Ronnie O’Sullivan: Masters champion ‘felt so vulnerable’ in final
- Arron Fletcher Wins 2017 WSOP International Circuit Marrakech Main Event ($140,224)
- Smith challenges Warner to go big in India
- Moncada No. 1 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- Braves land 2 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- Kingery makes MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- New Zealand wrap up 2-0 after Bangladesh implosion
- Mathews, Pradeep, Gunathilaka to return to Sri Lanka
- Elliott hopes for rain for Poli
Olympics Games Men’s Football: The Best Matches, Key Battles, Players to Watch
- Updated: August 3, 2016
The Olympic Games men’s football tournament starts on Thursday with the opening round of group-stage clashes. Sixteen teams will fight for the gold medal, and they will all be in action on an intriguing opening day.
Hosts Brazil begin their campaign against South Africa in Brasilia, while Mexico will be looking to make a positive start as the holders take on European heavyweights Germany.
Group by group, here is all the information for the first matchday in one of the Olympics’ most intriguing categories.
Group A
Iraq vs. Denmark, 5 p.m. BST/12 p.m. ET, Estadio Mane Garrincha, Brasilia.
Brazil vs. South Africa 8 p.m. BST/3 p.m. ET, Estadio Mane Garrincha, Brasilia.
Pick of the round: A lot of pressure is riding on Brazil at their home Games, and they will be desperate to make a good start against South Africa in front of their own fans.
Player to watch: While Neymar is the captain and figurehead of the Selecao lineup, much attention will also fall on the young stars around the Barcelona ace. Gabriel Barbosa, Santos’ teenage hotshot, will play alongside Neymar in attack and his goals will be key to the hosts’ campaign.
Key battle: Tyroane Sandows vs Renato Augusto
Nobody in the South Africa team knows Brazil better than Sandows. The Gremio star may come up against China-based Augusto in the heart of midfield, and he will need to be alert to keep his side from being overrun by the dangerous Selecao.
Group B
Sweden vs. Colombia, 11 p.m. BST/6 p.m. ET, Arena da Amazonia, Manaus.
Nigeria vs. Japan, 2 a.m. BST (Friday)/9 p.m. ET, Arena da Amazonia, Manaus.
Pick of the round: Group B is the most open in …
continue reading in source www.bleacherreport.com
