after slumping to consecutive goalless draws in their opening two
games of the Rio 2016 Olympics, hosts Brazil roared back with a 4-0
demoltion of Denmark which changed the atmosphere both inside and
outside the camp.
With confidence high and the fans back onside, the Selecao Olimpica sealed a safe passage to the semi-final with a 2-0 defeat of Colombia, exacting revenge for the 2015 Copa America final defeat which led to captain Neymar being sent off and earning a four-match suspension.
On Wednesday, Brazil host Honduras on the greatest stage of all, the mythical Maracana – the venue which eluded the Selecao at World Cup 2014 after their semi-final defeat to Germany.
One of the most storied stadiums in world football, the Maracana is place where legends are born.
It is where, in 2013, Neymar took centre stage in front of over 70,000 to lead Brazil to a famous 3-0 victory over then world champions Spain to claim the Confederations Cup title.
A demanding home crowd rediscovered their belief for the men’s football team over the last week and will have huge expectations against Honduras. The Selecao are now just two steps from the gold medal that remains the only major title still to elude the five-time world champions.
But Brazil will be aware that the Maracana can be an unforgiving venue. On Tuesday it ended the golden dream for the women’s team, who were defeated on penalties by Sweden.
It also played host to the greatest tragedy in Brazilian football history – the now infamous 1950 defeat to Uruguay which ended in a ‘Maracanazo’.
Rogerio Micale’s class of 2016 are hoping they will find more joy at the stadium, which will also play host to the final.
"It's a great pleasure to play at a stadium like the Maracana, which represents so much to Brazilian football," said Micale. "It will be a real privilege for myself and the team to contest such an important match on a stage like this."
But first of all they must deal with a stubborn Honduras side, who have already sent home tournament heavyweights Argentina and eliminated South Korea in the quarter-finals.
Physically imposing, organised and a threat on the counter-attack, the Hondurans are led by a coach who knows all too well how to cause some upsets.
Jorge Luis Pinto coached Costa Rica to a quarter-final finish at World Cup 2014, winning a group which contained Italy, Uruguay and England.
Striker Alberth Elis will be post a significant danger to a Brazilian defence that is yet to concede a goal at the games, as will the impressive Anthony Lozano.
The Selecao have strong Olympic memories of Honduras. In 2012 the Central Americans gave mano Menezes' side a real scare in the quarter-finals, twice taking the lead before Brazil triumphed 3-2.
2016 captain Neymar converted a penalty for what proved to be the winning goal that afternoon at St James' Park, Newcastle.
"I’ve been thinking about Neymar a lot and how we might attempt to control him,” said Pinto. “Brazil may well depend in some way on Neymar, but I believe it is not as much as people say.
“Of course he is a very important player for them. I've faced him five times and know his quality. Neymar is brilliant.”
With confidence high and the fans back onside, the Selecao Olimpica sealed a safe passage to the semi-final with a 2-0 defeat of Colombia, exacting revenge for the 2015 Copa America final defeat which led to captain Neymar being sent off and earning a four-match suspension.
On Wednesday, Brazil host Honduras on the greatest stage of all, the mythical Maracana – the venue which eluded the Selecao at World Cup 2014 after their semi-final defeat to Germany.
One of the most storied stadiums in world football, the Maracana is place where legends are born.
It is where, in 2013, Neymar took centre stage in front of over 70,000 to lead Brazil to a famous 3-0 victory over then world champions Spain to claim the Confederations Cup title.
A demanding home crowd rediscovered their belief for the men’s football team over the last week and will have huge expectations against Honduras. The Selecao are now just two steps from the gold medal that remains the only major title still to elude the five-time world champions.
But Brazil will be aware that the Maracana can be an unforgiving venue. On Tuesday it ended the golden dream for the women’s team, who were defeated on penalties by Sweden.
It also played host to the greatest tragedy in Brazilian football history – the now infamous 1950 defeat to Uruguay which ended in a ‘Maracanazo’.
Rogerio Micale’s class of 2016 are hoping they will find more joy at the stadium, which will also play host to the final.
"It's a great pleasure to play at a stadium like the Maracana, which represents so much to Brazilian football," said Micale. "It will be a real privilege for myself and the team to contest such an important match on a stage like this."
But first of all they must deal with a stubborn Honduras side, who have already sent home tournament heavyweights Argentina and eliminated South Korea in the quarter-finals.
Physically imposing, organised and a threat on the counter-attack, the Hondurans are led by a coach who knows all too well how to cause some upsets.
Jorge Luis Pinto coached Costa Rica to a quarter-final finish at World Cup 2014, winning a group which contained Italy, Uruguay and England.
Striker Alberth Elis will be post a significant danger to a Brazilian defence that is yet to concede a goal at the games, as will the impressive Anthony Lozano.
The Selecao have strong Olympic memories of Honduras. In 2012 the Central Americans gave mano Menezes' side a real scare in the quarter-finals, twice taking the lead before Brazil triumphed 3-2.
2016 captain Neymar converted a penalty for what proved to be the winning goal that afternoon at St James' Park, Newcastle.
"I’ve been thinking about Neymar a lot and how we might attempt to control him,” said Pinto. “Brazil may well depend in some way on Neymar, but I believe it is not as much as people say.
“Of course he is a very important player for them. I've faced him five times and know his quality. Neymar is brilliant.”
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