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Japan shine as South Africa shock Brazil
SYDNEY, Sept 17 (AFP) - Brazil, the favourites for the Olympic men's football gold, slumped to a shock defeat by South Africa Sunday on a night that saw Japan move impressively to the top of their first round group. In the biggest shock of the tournament so far, the Brazilians suffered a 3-1 defeat in Brisbane while the Japanese sparkled in Canberra on their way to a 2-1 victory over Slovakia. Second half goals from Roma midfielder Hidetoshi Nakata and Junichi Inamoto secured the three points that ensured the Japanese will go into their final group game against Brazil needing only a draw to secure a place in the quarter finals. In the night's other games in group B, Chile beat Spain 3-1 to go to the top of the group while South Korea edged out Morocco 1-0 to keep their hopes of qualification alive. Morocco's second defeat means they have no chance of advancing. Japan were held goalless first-half but upped the tempo after the break as Phillipe Troussier's squad underlined their credentials as serious medal contenders. "We are going to keep concentrating and try to win against Brazil," the Frenchman said after the match. "We want to get all nine points available and finish at the top of the group." Japan are the only Asian team ever to have won an Olympic football medal, bagging bronze at the 1968 Mexico Games. The lively Shunsuke Nakamura, Japan's outstanding player on the night, set up Nakata for his side's first by skipping away from his markers down the left flank in the 67th minute. His pinpoint cross found Nakata unmarked eight yards out and the Roma midfielder met it with a powerful diving header that gave Slovak goalkeeper Martin Lipcak no chance. Seven minutes later Naohiro Takahara broke from inside his own half and though his shot was saved by Lipcak, Inamoto was following up to poke the ball home. Andrej Porazik pulled one back for the Slovaks to ensure a tense final seven minutes but the Japanese held on. In Brisbane, a double strike late on gave South Africa a shock victory over pre-tournament favorites Brazil. Substitute Siyabonga Nomvethe rose to power the South Africans ahead in the 74th minute from fellow replacement Steve Lekoela's cross. And Lekoela sealed victory two minutes from time, rolling the ball into an empty net after Brazilian goalkeeper Helton could only parry a shot from Daniel Matsau - another substitute. The result means both sides have three points from two games but South Africa have an easier-looking final fixture against Slovakia, who have lost both of their matches so far. The game exploded into life when Manchester United midfielder Quinton Fortune curled a free-kick into the top corner in the ninth minute to put the South Africans ahead. From the resultant kick-off Brazil surged down the left and Edu's downward header from a pin-point Fabio Aurelio cross levelled the score up. Brazil dominated the game either side of half-time but could not find the net and were punished in the end. Chile moved to the top of group B with a polished performance in Melbourne. Goals from Rafael Olarra and Reinaldo Navia put them two up against Spain before Lacruiz halved the deficit. But Navia's second in the last minute made the game safe. In the other game Chun-Soo Lee's second-half goal was enough to give South Korea victory over Morocco. The South Koreans are level with Spain on three points but have to face the impressive Chileans in their final group match.
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