By Robbie Blakeley, Senior Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Brazil breezed past New Zealand yesterday in the final group stage of the 2012 Olympics football (soccer) tournament and will now face Honduras on Saturday in the knock-out round. The result secured first place in Group C for the Seleção with three wins out of three after earlier successes over Egypt and Belarus.
Danilo, Leandro Damião and Sandro got the goals, and there could have been more had Neymar not missed an incredible chance in the second half. After receiving a pass from Rafael and with an open goal, the mohawked youth somehow deigned to shoot over the bar.
Having already qualified for the quarter-finals, coach Mano Menezes took the opportunity to rest some first-team players. Recent Chelsea acquisition Oscar sat out the game, with Ganso taking his place.
The only negative for the South Americans was the dismissal of Alex Sandro, who received two yellow cards in the space of six minutes. The player will miss the match against Honduras, who finished runner-up in Group D.
The tie will take place at Newcaslte’s St.James’ Park stadium on Saturday at 1PM Brazilian time. The female side have also advanced and face reigning world champions Japan tomorrow.
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