Will Brazil beat Olympic soccer title jinx this year?

Brazil is the most successful soccer nation in the world based on the number of FIFA world cup titles it has won. Five to be precise with the last title coming in 2002 finals held in Korea/Japan.

During the 2002 finals Brazil beat Germany 2-0 with Ronaldo setting a record for goals scored in World cup at 15, a record that was obliterated in 2014 by German Miroslav Klose at 16 during the last tournament in Brazil.

The latest edition held at home to Brazil in 2014 ended in a disaster with Brazil being beaten by eventual tournament champions Germany by 7-1 in the semifinals.

However, with such developments in World cup and other tournaments including Copa America Brazil has somehow found it hard to march its prowess in soccer in Olympic tournaments which is played by players entirely under 23 years of age with an exception of three senior players completing the squad.

Why Brazil cannot perform in this age bracket is beyond logic due to the fact that it is a highly productive age that such a footballing nation can cash on because they already have big names playing for big clubs across the world, and winning trophies globally with them even winning world cup with such players in their ranks.

Two games towards this year’s Olympic tournament, Brazil the hosts, have managed two barren draws with two FIFA lowly ranked countries in the world.

In the opening match, Brazil were held by 67th ranked South Africa while on Sunday they could not do better with 99th ranked Iraq even after 7 minutes of added time after the regular 90 minutes.

It is important to note that South Africa played with 10 men for a majority of the second half.

The Brazil statistics in major soccer tournaments titles are as follows world cup (5), Copa America (8), confederations cup (4), under 20 world cup (5) and Olympic (0).

Neymar, who did not play in the latest Copa America won by Chile to participate in the Olympics, will take responsibility for blame if Brazil does not succeed this time. This is because he is the captain as well as the most dependable and visible player in the team having succeeded with Barcelona one of the top clubs in the world.

Another player who could bear the brunt of failure is Gabriel Jesus who recently signed for English side Manchester city and was picked to spearhead Brazil’s attack but his presence has not been felt going by two barren draws in the two matches that the team has played so far in the tournament.

Denmark is at the top of their group having won against South Africa and Brazil can still qualify for elimination stage if it beats Denmark in the last group match because it’s tied for second place with Iraq.

Brazil has failed to win a gold medal in Olympics. Recently, they won silver medals in 1984 and 1988, and bronze medals in 1996 and 2008.

Brazil finishes group play against group leader Denmark on August 10th and the game can determine the nation’s fate, considering that it’s also dependent on other results of the group; that is if Iraq and South Africa get a barren draw in their match which will increase the chances of Brazil to qualify.