Neil Emblen's team will aim for an Olympic miracle as they plan to go with their guns blazing against the unbeaten, in order to test their dying hopes of gold.
Brazil will lock horns with the All Whites in their third match of Group C of London Olympics 2012, to be played at St. James’ Park Newcastle-upon-Tyne on August 1, 2012 1:30 PM GMT.
The Little Canaries go into the game on the back of two consecutive victories against Belarus and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Egypt-c2890, while the New Zealanders drew their last game against Egypt and lost to Belarus.
The last head-to-head clash between the two teams ended in 5-0 victory for the Yellow Shirts.
Brazil
Brazil may have never got their hands on Olympic gold despite an illustrious history in the game, but they certainly look to be cruising for the top of the podium this time around.
Neymar, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Oscar-c28720, Hulk and Co. have ravaged every side that have dared to share the football field with them, and will be looking to topple arguably the weakest side in their group to continue their winning streak, and emerge at the top of their group.
With players like Leandro Damaio and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Mano-c23341 Menezes could look to rest a few of his payers in order to have fresher legs in quarter-finals, for which they have already qualified.
New Zealand
The All Whites do not have history on their side, as they are yet to bag a victory in the Olympics despite having played five games in two events.
To make the things all black for the New Zealanders is the fact that they have never avoided a defeat when faced with the might of Brazil.
The situation is desperate for Neil Emblen's boys, as they need a victory by all means to have any hope of advancing to the quarter-finals.
However, the shaky defence of the Brazilians will do a lot to calm the nerves of the White Shirts.
The Canaries conceded two against the Egyptians, and went one goal down against Belarus before pulling a 3-1 victory.
New Zealand will hope to score early in the game just like the Belarusians, and hope that their defence fares out better than that of the other teams in the group.
Team News
Brazil
Mano Menezes will have the full squad at his disposal, and may chose to rest some of his playing elevens for the quarter-finals.
Expected Starting Line-up: http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Hulk-c16436.
New Zealand
Neil Emblen's team remains without injuries, and he will field his full strength in his team's push to upset against the favourites of the tournament.
Expected Starting Line-up: O'Keeffe, Payne, Smith, Nelsen, Hogg, Barbarouses, Thomas, McGlinchey, Rojas, Wood, Smeltz.
Players to Watch:
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Brazil-c2858)
The Canarinhos winger scored from a splendid free-kick and also set up two goals for his team in the triumph over http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Belarus-c2849.
His presence on the field alone will strike fear in the hearts of his opponents, and fans will be expecting even more from their hero in the upcoming match.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chris-c9006 Wood (New Zealand)
The West Brom striker is the sole goalscorer for his team in the stalemate against the Egyptians, and will represent the best hopes of his team to find spaces in the unbalanced defence of the Brazilians, and give his team a lead to defend.
Predictions
The http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Arsenal-c38429 for attack that is said
to be the best form of defence. The All Whites will go forward with all their might, and pray to the Olympic gods that their strategy does not backfires upon them.
Prediction: 2-1 to Brazil.
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