Brazil slump in Olympic football

Quinton Fortune proved a handful for the Brazilians

Group B: Spain 1-3, South Korea 0-1 Morocco
Group D: Slovakia 1-2 Japan, Brazil 1-3 South Africa

Brazil, the clear favourites for Olympic men's football gold, suffered a shock defeat by South Africa on Sunday, while Japan continue to impress as they move to the top of their first round group.

The Brazilians slumped against South Africa losing 3-1 in Brisbane following a double strike late in the game.

The match 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.

Dominated

Brazil dominated the game either side of half-time but could not find the net and were punished in the end.

Substitute Siyabonga Nomvethe rose to power the South Africans ahead in the 74th minute from fellow replacement Steve Lekoela's cross.

Lekoela sealed victory two minutes from time, rolling the ball into an empty net after Brazilian goalkeeper Helton could only parry a shot from substitute Daniel Matsau.

The result means both sides have three points from two games but South Africa have an easier looking final game against Slovakia, who have lost both of their matches so far.

Japanese progress

Second half goals from Roma midfielder Hidetoshi Nakata and Junichi Inamoto secured the three points that ensured the Japanese progress into their final group game against Brazil needing only a draw to secure a place in the quarter finals.

We are going to keep concentrating and try to win against Brazil

  Japan manager Phillipe Troussier

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.

Otmane Elassas and Park Ji-Sung

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.

Chile top

Chile moved to the top of group B with a polished performance in Melbourne beating Spain 3-1.

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 and keep their qualification hopes alive.

The South Koreans are level with Spain on three points but have to face the impressive Chileans in their final group match.