South Africa’s u23 Men’s National Team put up a gallant fight but lost 3-1 to host Brazil in a fast-paced international friendly match in Maceio, Brazil on Sunday night.

South Africa……. (0) 1 (Mothiba 66’)

Brazil…………..(2) 3 (15’Rodrigo Caio; 20’ Anderson; 73’ Pereira)

South Africa’s u23 Men’s National Team put up a gallant fight but lost 3-1 to host Brazil in a fast-paced international friendly match in Maceio, Brazil on Sunday night.

This was part of Owen da Gama’s preparations for the upcoming Rio 2016 Olympics which will be held in Brazil’s cultural centre later this year.

Rodrigo Caio opened the scoring for Brazil in the 15th minute when he headed the ball past goalkeeper Jody February after the Brazilians were awarded a free kick in a dangerous position following a Thabo Makhele foul.

A few minutes later the Brazilians scored their second goal from yet another beautiful header by Felipe Anderson, who only had to nod the ball into the net from a well taken corner.

Owen Da Gama immediately made a substitution in the 25th minute bringing on Tshepo Rikhotso for Lorenzo Gordinho in a bid to stabilise the South African defence.

Da Gama made further changes after the break bringing on Peters for February and Modiba replaced Morena while Mekoa came on for Phiri. At leftback Da Gama brought in Moerane for the debutant Ntlhe.

The Brazilians only made two substitutions at half time when Rodrigo Ely came on for Wallace and Wendell for Santos. In the 60th Luciano came off for Pereira, while Caio off for Rafinha.

Mothiba then gave the visitors some hope in the 66th minute when he headed home a great ball from the hard-running Modiba.

But Pereira silenced the South Africans in the 73rd minute when he finished off with aplomb to give Brazil an unassailable 3-1 lead on the night.

South Africa U23 starting XI:
Jody February (GK); Thabo Makhele; Lorenzo Gordihno; Kwanda Mngonyama; Kgosietsile Nthle; Phumlani Ntshangase; Gift Motupa; Keagan Dolly (c); Lebogana Phiri; Thapelo Morena; Lebogang Mothiba

Substitutions:
Steven Hoffman (GK); Kyle Peters (GK); Tshepo Rikhotso; Zitha Macheke; Tebogo Moerane; Aubrey Modiba; Paseke Mako; Deolin Mekoa; Sello Jafta; Thabiso Kutumela

Brazilian Starting XI:
Ederson; Fabinho; Doria; Wallace; Rodrigo Caio; Douglas Santos; Gabriel Jesus; Matheus Sales; Luciano; Felipe Anderson; Malcom

Brazilian substitutions:
Matheus Vidotto; Zeca; Rodrigo Ely; Thiago Maia; Wendall; Alisson; Rafinha; Andreas Pereira; Clayton