Iraqi defender Mohammed Hameed (R) blocks a shot from Brazil's Gabriel Jesus. (Photo : Getty Images)
Lowly squad South Africa (0-1-1, 1 point) will try to advance in the quarterfinals of the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics men's football tournament as they face tough team Iraq (0-0-2, 2 points) at the Arena Corinthians in São Paulo on Wednesday, August 10.
South Africa is currently at the bottom of the Group A standings, but they still have a chance to enter the last-eight round with a win over Irag in this game and if Brazil loses to Denmark in the other final group stage round match of the said group.
Brazil and Iraq are currently tied with two points each in the standings and a victory by Amaglug-glug and Danish squad in the third round will propel them to seven points and four points respectively, eliminating their two other Group A rivals.
Head coach Owen Da Gama's side is coming off a 0-1 defeat to Denmark in the previous round in a match held last Sunday at the Estádio Nacional Mané Garrincha in Brasília, NBC Olympics reported.
It was the only loss recorded in the group so far as the three other matches in the two rounds have all been 0-0 draws.
Denmark's Robert Skov scored the lone goal at the 69th minute to put the Danish side's one foot into the quarterfinals' door.
Meanwhile, AFC qualifiers Iraq stunned host country and tournament favorites Brazil by holding them to a goalless draw in the same venue also last Sunday to give themselves a fighting chance for a quarterfinals slot in this summer's Games, via CBS Sports.
With the draw, Iraq has set themselves tied with Brazil in the group table and a win over South Africa will allow them to advance outright in the knockout stage if Seleção loses to Denmark in the day's other match.
If Brazil defeats Denmark in a virtually do-or-die contest and Iraq emerges victorious against South Africa, then a tiebreaker must be implemented to determine who will advance in the quarters.
The predicted result is a 1-0 decision for Iraq.
South Africa starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Khune; Mobara, Mathoho, Coetzee, Moerane; Mngonyama, Mekoa; Modiba, Motupa, Dolly; Mothiba
Iraq starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Hameed; Ali Mhawi, Khalaf, Nadhim, Ismail; Natiq, Abdulameer; Kareem, Attwan, Adnan; Abdulraheem
