Brazil knocked former champions Cameroon out of the men’s soccer tournament with a 2-0 extra time win in a rough-house quarter-final yesterday.
The Brazilians, yet to win an Olympics soccer gold medal, got the winner in the 101st minute when Betis Sevilla forward Rafael Sobis was sent clear and chipped the keeper to break the deadlock.
Real Madrid’s Marcelo made it safe with a second four minutes later after lead-up work by AC Milan’s Ronaldinho and substitute Thiago Neves.
Cameroon’s task was made more difficult when they were reduced to 10 men when Paris St Germain’s Albert Baning got a second yellow card seven minutes after halftime.
It was a niggly, spiteful quarter-final with a total of 13 yellow cards dished out by Slovenian referee Damir Skomina — eight against Cameroon and five to Brazil.
Brazil have now scored 11 goals in four matches and have yet to concede a goal.
The opening half had few scoring chances but plenty of niggly fouls, with referee Skomina handing out five yellow cards and whistling up 24 fouls.
The best scoring chance came in the 14th minute when Brazilian goalkeeper Renan finger-tipped a long-range drive from striker Gustave Bebbe over the bar.
Ronaldinho was at the heart of the Brazilian attacks and his corners were particularly dangerous.
Cameroon lost their Rennes midfielder Stephane Mbia after 17 minutes with a leg injury and he was replaced by German-based Alain Olle.
Then they went a man down when Baning was sent off in the 52nd minute for his second yellow and a foul on Lucas.
Brazil pressed against the under-manned Cameroonian defense for the remainder of the half, but could not breach them.
Yesterday’s other results:
• Nigeria 2, Ivory Coast 0
• Argentina vs Netherlands still in progress
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