The hosts face return to the scene of Thursday's disappointing opener desperate to get their Rio 2016 campaign back on track
After opening their Rio 2016 campaign with a disappointing goalless draw against South Africa, Brazil return to the Mane Garrincha stadium on Sunday desperate to get their quest for gold back on track.
After hearing jeers from the locals on what proved a frustrating afternoon in Brasilia as 10-man South Africa earned a well-deserved point, the Selecao Olimpica will be keen to put on a much better showing against Iraq on Sunday to help get the fans back on side.
Captain Neymar has been singled out for criticism in some sections of the local media but coach Rogerio Micale sprang to his defence this week.
"We are often unfair to Neymar,” he said.
“If he did not want to help Brazil, he could hide - then he would not misplace passes or miss chances. It’s not always the case that the person who makes the least mistakes is the most effective.
“He will grow throughout the competition. I have full confidence in him.”
Iraq arrived at the Games amidst talk of “being happy to be there” and hopes of “enjoying the matches”, but there were signs in their 0-0 draw with Denmark that they could yet spring a surprise.
They will hope to frustrate Brazil early on and encourage the natives to grow restless once more. “For us, it is an honour to be here,” Iraq coach Abdulghani Alghazali said.
“In Brazil, we have earned the sympathy of the local people. Our next game, against them, will be very important for us.”
Brazil looked anxious in their tournament debut, with local commentators bemused by how different the team looked to the one they’d watched in training at the Granja Comary training complex last month.
But Micale is confident his team can bounce back and continue to improve as the tournament rolls on.
"We are very strong mentally and growing stronger as a group,” he said.
“With every result we are getting stronger as both a group and a team. Right now the most important thing is to qualify for the second phase."
..... - Goal