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![Lucas Rodriguez (R) of Argentina vies with Ricardo Alves of Brazil.[Xinhua]](http://images.china.cn/attachement/jpg/site1007/20080911/000bcdb95f1d0a330f9301.jpg "Lucas Rodriguez (R) of Argentina vies with Ricardo Alves of Brazil.[Xinhua]")
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Lucas Rodriguez (R) of Argentina vies with Ricardo Alves of Brazil.[Xinhua] |
Argentina and Brazil, the best two teams in the world, couldn't break the deadlock in an exciting 0-0 draw in the Football 5-a-Side tournament at the Olympic Green Hockey Stadium, Pitch 2, on Thursday.
The first half was dominated by Brazil, even though they didn't manage to take many shots at the goal.
Severino Silva of Brazil was the first one to try his luck, but the ball went just wide 11 minutes into the game.
Argentine goalie Dario Lencina was only forced to make one save in the initial 25 minutes. It came when Brazil’s Marcos Felipe sent a fierce shot straight to the goalkeeper's body.
No team managed to find the back of the net and the second half saw Brazil again on the attack.
Ricardo 'Ricardinho' Alves was the main threat for the Argentines and he went close to scoring in a couple of opportunities.
Argentina never really created chances as Brazil kept the talented Silvio Velo at bay for the entire match.
With four minutes to go, Brazil had a golden opportunity to get ahead when Silva took a free-kick from the second penalty spot after Argentina went over the foul limit. Silva sent his shot flying wide to the relief of the Argentines.
Silva had another chance two minutes later with another free-kick from the second penalty spot. This time he kept the ball down, but it was still wide.
This is the first match in this tournament that finished 0-0. The result leaves Brazil with good chances to qualify for the gold medal match, while Argentina will need to wait for other results to help them.
Argentina will play the Republic of Korea on Saturday, September 13. Brazil will face Great Britain on the same day.
(BOCOG September 11, 2008)