dium.Parcells return will give coach Trent B | Forum

BRASILIA, Brazil -- Brazil started its quest for an Olympic gold medal in mens soccer with a disappointing 0-0 draw against South Africa, a result that prompted loud jeers by some of the home fans.Despite an attack led by Barcelona striker Neymar and talented youngsters Gabriel Jesus and Gabigol, Brazil was not able to find the net at the packed Mane Garrincha Stadium in Brasilia.Gabriel Jesus, newly signed by Manchester City, had the games best chance in the 69th minute but missed an open net with a close-range shot that struck the post.I have the obligation to score that goal, he said. Im not used to missing those chances. Im disappointed. I wont be able to sleep tonight because of that one.Neymar and Gabigol threatened a few times but also couldnt score.We had the best chances but the ball didnt go in, Brazil coach Rogerio Micale said. And we also have to give credit to South Africa, which has a very determined team and made it difficult for us to impose our game.South Africa played a man down from the 59th after defender Mothobi Mvala earned a second yellow card for a hard foul on Brazil right back Zeca.In the other Group A match in Brasilia, Iraq and Denmark also played to a scoreless draw, leaving all four teams tied.Brazil plays Iraq on Sunday, also in Brasilia, while South Africa faces Denmark.In Rio de Janeiro, Portugal defeated two-time Olympic champion Argentina 2-0 with goals by Paciencia in the 66th and Pite in the 84th in front of 45,000 fans at the Olympic Stadium, the vast majority cheering for Portugal. Earlier, Honduras defeated Algeria 3-2 in the other Group D game in Rio.In the jungle city of Manaus, Colombia and Sweden drew 2-2 in Group B. The Colombians got on the board with Teo Gutierrez in the 17th but allowed the Swedes to move ahead with goals by Mikael Ishak in the 43rd and Astrit Ajdarevic in the 62nd. Colombias equalizer came from a 75th-minute penalty kick converted by Dorlan Pabon.Nigeria found strenght to defeat Japan 5-4 in the heat of Manaus only about six hours after arriving in the city. The team had its trip to Brazil delayed by a mix-up at an airport. Midfielder Oghenekaro Etebo scored four goals for the 1996 Olympic champions. The thrilling match at the Arena Amazonia was tied 2-2 by the 13th minute, but Nigeria eventually pulled away before Japan scored twice late.In Group C, defending champion Mexico drew 2-2 with Germany despite twice having the lead in the northeastern city of Salvador. Oribe Peralta scored Mexicos first goal, and Germanys 78th-minute equalizer came from 2014 World Cup champion Matthias Ginter. In the other group game, South Korea routed Fiji 8-0. In its eighth straight Olympics, South Korea scored seven of its goals after the 60th minute. Three goals came in a two-minute span.The Olympic gold is the only major trophy Brazil hasnt won in soccer. The countrys team has won the silver medal three times, including four years ago in London, when Neymar was in a squad that lost the final to Mexico.Brazil controlled possession but wasnt able to create many significant chances until late in the second half. South Africa, playing at the Olympics for the first time since 2000, also came close several times.The Olympics is Brazils first tournament since the senior team was embarrassed at the Copa America after failing to advance past the group stage of the continental competition. Neymar skipped that tournament to be able to play at the Rio Games.Brazil also finished second at the Olympic tournament in 1984 in Los Angeles and in 1988 in Seoul, the second time with a team that included Romario and Bebeto. The five-time World Cup champions won the bronze in 1996 in Atlanta with striker Ronaldo, and in 2008 in Beijing with playmaker Ronaldinho.South Africa defeated Brazil 3-1 in the group stage of the Sydney Olympics in 2000. Brazils under-23 squad beat South Africa by the same score in an Olympic warmup earlier this year.---Tales Azzoni on Twitter: http://twitter.com/tazzoni. His work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/content/tales-azzoni Manlys late finals push is set to gain momentum with the return of Jamie Lyon, Nate Myles and Matt Parcell from injury for Fridays round 22 NRL clash with Parramatta.Lyon sat out Sundays win over Newcastle due to a calf injury, Myles was sidelined with an ongoing knee complaint and Parcell has battled a hamstring injury in recent weeks.However the trio are expected to be back on deck to face the Eels for the Sea Eagles who sit two points outside the top eight with five rounds to play.Myles continues to struggle with the knee trouble that hindered his State of Origin campaign for Queensland but said things are improving.The knee is good, Myles said at Manlys Narrabeen training base on Tuesday.It is a little bit of a week-to-week issue. It gets a little bit angry and inflamed and can get a bit fat on me but it is something that is getting bettter.ddddddddddddLyon was also a late scratching for the win over the Knights but is likely to return to the five-eighth role for the crucial fixture with the Eels at Pirtek Stadium.Parcells return will give coach Trent Barrett a welcome selection headache given the recent good form of fellow dummy half Apisai Koroisau. Parcell will likely return from the bench.Manly are almost at full strength after Dylan Walker enjoyed an impressive comeback last week from a hand injured away from football.We are playing a better style of footy than we were earlier in the year, Myles said.Manly need to win four of their last five games against Parramatta, Canterbury (away), Melbourne (home), Canberra (home) and Penrith (away). ' ' '