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Brazil were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by 10-man South Africa in their opening Olympic Games match in Brasilia on Thursday.

Head coach Rogerio Micale fielded captain Neymar, rising star Gabriel Barbosa and new Manchester City signing Gabriel Jesus in a fearsome three-pronged attack, but they were unable to find a breakthrough inside a packed Mane Garrincha Stadium.

Lebo Mothiba twice missed chances for South Africa in the first half before the hosts began to take control, with Neymar twice coming close from distance and Gabriel Jesus hitting the post with the goal gaping.

South Africa were dealt a blow when Mothobi Mvala picked up a second booking in quick succession, but despite their territorial dominance, Brazil could not muster the goal they needed to take control in Group A.

Mothiba dragged a presentable opening wide from inside the area in an even first half, though Neymar stung the hands of Itumeleng Khune as Brazil began to step up their attacking efforts.

Neymar whipped a curling shot onto the roof of the net from 20 yards and Gabriel Barbosa forced Khune into action from distance, but the packed crowd in Brasilia were growing increasingly restless as Brazil began to struggle for inspiration in attack.

Mvala's dismissal gave the hosts some renewed impetus, but Gabriel Jesus missed a sitter midway through the second half, turning the ball onto the base of the post with Khune having been caught out by Luan's bouncing cross.

Barbosa was twice denied at close range by Khune, and Neymar almost squeezed a shot home in stoppage time after a dancing run from the left, but Brazil were forced to settle for a point.

The result leaves Group A finely poised heading into Sunday's second round of matches, with Iraq and Denmark having played out a goalless draw earlier in Brasilia.

Neymar failed to find the breakthrough as Brazil were held 0-0 in their opening Olympics match by South Africa, who had a man sent off.

Neymar's Brazil held by 10-man South Africa

Second-half goals from Portugal guided them to a 2-0 win over Argentina in their Olympic football tournament opener, while South Korea put in an impressive shift against a hapless Fiji.

Portugal, spurred on by the senior national team's success at Euro 2016, found the net through Goncalo Paciencia and Pite - both assisted by Bruno Fernandes.

South Korea were in dominant form against Fiji, scoring seven second-half goals in an 8-0 rout of Frank Farina's men.

Hosts Brazil were held to a 0-0 draw by a 10-man South Africa, while defending champions Mexico were pegged back twice in a 2-2 draw with Germany.

Iraq and Denmark played out a scoreless draw, Colombia fought back to secure a 2-2 draw with Sweden, and Honduras survived a nervy finish to defeat Algeria 3-2.

Meanwhile, Nigeria overcame difficult preparations for the tournament by holding on for a 5-4 win over Japan in a nine-goal thriller. 


HIGHLIGHT

South Korea were only 1-0 up with 30 minutes to play, before three goals in 90 seconds - including two from Kwon Chang-hoon - opened the floodgates in Salvador, Bahia. The AFC representatives went on to score another four in the biggest win at the Olympics since 1980.


PLAYER OF THE DAY

Ryu Seung-woo may have scored a hat-trick against Fiji, but Nigeria forward Oghenekaro Etebo went one better and scored four in the side's win over Japan. The 20-year-old, who plays club football for Feirense in Portugal, scored two in each half in the 5-4 win.


PACIENCIA EYES GOLD

"It is really important as our generation is trying to be better. If we can win like the national team [did at the European Championship] then the name of Portugal will be at a higher level," said Paciencia, when asked if Portugal can go in to win gold.

"I had never missed a goal like this. I am angry, even shame, but it happens. I'm disappointed in myself, I will not be able to sleep well today," said Brazil's Gabriel Jesus, after hitting the post with an open goal to aim at.


WHAT'S NEXT?

The action resumes on Sunday with Germany up against South Korea, while Argentina will look to get on the board against Algeria and hosts Brazil face Iraq.

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Portugal got the better of Argentina, while South Korea thrashed Fiji as the men's Olympic football tournament began on Thursday.

Portugal beat Argentina, South Korea thrash Fiji

<h1>Paris Saint-Germain have announced Timothy Weah, son of former star George, has agreed a two-year youth contract with the club.</h1>

Having impressed while representing PSG's Under-17 side, Weah Jnr has agreed a deal which ties him to the Ligue 1 champions until 2018.

Weah Snr represented the club from the French capital between 1992 and 1995, winning the Ballon d'Or for the latter year shortly after moving to AC Milan.

The former Liberia international expressed his delight at seeing his son, a dual national of<a href="" id="00773f3f-ce55-5365-ae1e-211b426baee2"> France</a> and the United States, join one of his former sides.

"I am very proud and very happy to see my son grow into this great club that is Paris Saint-Germain," Weah Snr told the club's official website.

"I player here too of course, for me it is a great pride."

"I hope the club will continue to grow, to become one of the biggest teams in the world."

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Having impressed while representing PSG's Under-17 side, Weah Jnr has agreed a deal which ties him to the Ligue 1 champions.

PSG sign George Weah's son Timothy until 2018

<h1>A 72nd-minute equaliser from Fernandinho grabbed Manchester City a 2-2 draw against Paris Saint-Germain after an absorbing first leg to their quarter-final Champions League tie.</h1>

After Joe Hart saved Zlatan Ibrahimovic's early penalty, the visitors struck first at the Parc des Princes when Kevin De Bruyne finished off a quick counter-attack, thrashing a shot beyond PSG goalkeeper Kevin Trapp to register his 14th goal of the season.

However, a shocking error from Fernando gifted Ibrahimovic an equaliser, the Swede's attempt to block a pass ending up in the net to make amends for his earlier profligacy.

Adrien Rabiot put PSG ahead when tapping home from close range after the hour, but Fernandinho made the most of a lucky break inside the box to grab Manuel Pellegrini's men what could be a crucial draw in the French capital.

With two away goals, Manchester City - playing in the last eight for the first time in their history - hold the upper hand ahead of the second leg, particularly as yellow cards for Blaise Matuidi and David Luiz mean the duo are suspended for the return fixture in England.

Both PSG players were involved in two penalty appeals in an action-packed first half.

While Matuidi's fall inside the area after colliding with France team-mate Eliaquim Mangala was ruled as accidental by referee Milorad Mazic, Luiz was awarded a spot kick after enticing an ill-judged challenge from Bacary Sagna.

However, Ibrahimovic's attempt was was kept out by Hart, who dived low to his right to turn the ball aside for a corner.

The forward also fluffed his lines when again facing up to Hart - back in action after suffering a calf injury in the Manchester derby on March 20 -  in the 24th minute, sending a curling effort over the top when put clean through by Rabiot.

City were far more clinical on the counter in the 38th minute. Fernando robbed possession from Rabiot in the centre circle, allowing Fernandinho to set up De Bruyne for the opening goal.

But, having done so well for his side's goal, Fernando gifted PSG an equaliser three minutes later. Dealing with a goal-kick, the midfielder's casual attempt to play a square pass on the edge of his own area was blocked into the open net by Ibrahimovic, with Hart in no position to make a save.

The England goalkeeper was in the right place to keep out a flicked header from Edinson Cavani in the second half - only for the rebound to break perfectly for Rabiot to tap into the net in the 59th minute.

City needed the woodwork to keep out a looping headed effort from Ibrahimovic before not one but two lucky breaks at the other end led to their equaliser.

A low cross from Sagna was touched by a stretching Serge Aurier - playing his first game since being punished for insulting manager Laurent Blanc and a number of team-mates on Periscope in February - onto Thiago Silva, with the deflections setting up Fernandinho to scuff home an equaliser.

There were to be no more goals in an enthralling encounter, with City heading into next week's return at the Etihad Stadium holding the advantage.

- Joe Hart is the only goalkeeper to save two penalties in the Champions League this season (two faced) and has saved each of his last three penalties in the CL.- David Luiz was booked after 12 seconds, the quickest yellow in the Champions League this season and the fastest since 2003-04.- Zlatan Ibrahimovic has scored in five consecutive Champions League games for the third time in his career (he also did it in February 2012 with Milan and February 2014 with PSG).- Paris Saint-Germain have lost only one of their last 39 home games in European competition (W25 D13), that was against Barcelona in April 2015.

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A second-half equaliser from Fernandinho grabbed Manchester City a 2-2 draw against Paris Saint-Germain after an absorbing first leg to their quarter-final Champions League tie.

Paris Saint-Germain 2 Manchester City 2

Former Brazil international Ronaldo has hit back at Fabio Capello, claiming the manager was "out-dated" by the time he joined Real Madrid for a second time.

Capello, who spent the 2006-07 season in Spain, said earlier in the week that Ronaldo was a great player, but also a "negative group leader" at Madrid.

"We sold him in January and the atmosphere within the group changed completely," the 69-year-old said at the Globe Soccer Awards.

However, speaking to Folha de S.Paulo, Ronaldo responded to the Italian's claims.

"Capello was a great trainer in his time, around the 1990s. When he came to Real Madrid he was already finishing and didn't motivate the players," he said.

"Proof is that after [Madrid] he never returned to manage a club."

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Former Brazil international Ronaldo has hit back at Fabio Capello, claiming the manager was "out-dated" by the time he joined Real Madrid for a second time.

Ronaldo hits back at Fabio Capello

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Barcelona striker Luis Suarez says no-one thinks they are better than anyone else in the locker room, because everyone knows Lionel Messi is the best.

Suarez and Neymar have been the two best for Barca so far this season, with Messi missing several weeks through injury.

The duo of Suarez and Neymar have scored a combined 35 goals between them in all competitions, but the Uruguayan said everyone at Barca is in agreement that Messi is the best player at the club.

"In the locker room no one thinks they are better than anyone because everyone assumes Messi is the best," Suarez told Uruguayan radio station Sport 890.

"We assume that Messi is the best and Neymar is number two. I really enjoy the opportunity to play with them. It's a privilege.

"Our good relationship signifies a lot. We know Messi is at the top and no-one believes they are superior."

Suarez has 19 goals so far this campaign and said he was excited to return to the national team setup after serving his 10-match ban for biting Giorgio Chiellini at the 2014 World Cup.

"I'm looking forward to putting the Uruguayan shirt back on," Suarez said. "It's a relief to finally finish my ban, but the team has done well at the start of qualifying."

However, the 28-year-old will have to wait until March for the next CONMEBOL qualifier, with Uruguay facing Neymar's Brazil.

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No-one believes they are superior to Lionel Messi at Barcelona, insists Luis Suarez.

At Barca we all know Lionel Messi is the best - Luis Suarez

The visitors approached Monday's game having won just one of their last six league games.

But Levante made a fine start to proceedings, breaking the deadlock in the sixth minute courtesy of Colombian midfielder Jefferson Lerma.

However, Espanyol levelled 11 minutes into the second half, substitute striker Gerard Moreno netting his second goal of the season.

The draw moves Levante off the foot of the table and above Las Palmas. Espanyol are six points clear of the drop zone in 12th.

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Levante missed the chance to move out of La Liga's bottom three as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Espanyol.

Espanyol 1 Levante 1: Moreno strike ensures stalemate

Bangladesh cricketer Shahadat Hossain has been granted bail after being detained on allegations of the abuse of an 11-year-old child.

Shahadat, who has played 38 Tests for Bangladesh, handed himself into police in October and has been in custody since after apparently assaulting his housemaid along with his wife.

The 29-year-old has been bailed until March 31 but deputy attorney general Moniruzzaman Kabir is understood to be preparing to lodge an appeal to the Supreme Court.

"The High Court has accepted Shahdat's bail plea today after it was earlier rejected by the lower court," Kabir told AFP.

In September, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) suspended Shahadat from "any activity" under its jurisdiction.

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Suspended Bangladesh cricketer Shahadat Hossain has been released from custody until March 31, with an investigation into child abuse claims still ongoing.

Suspended Bangladesh cricketer granted bail in child abuse case

Luis Suarez has labelled his Barcelona team-mates Lionel Messi and Neymar as the two best players in the world after they made the Ballon d'Or shortlist.

The Barca duo will compete against Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo – the holder of the award – for the top prize to be announced on January 11.

Uruguay striker Suarez is relaxed about his omission on the shortened list of nominees and highlighted the abilities of his South American compatriots.

"I was aware that I could have been on the shortlist," the 28-year-old attacker said.

"But I’m satisfied with the year I have had and with how I have helped my team. I am proud that two of the finalists are my team-mates. They deserve it because they are number one and number two in the world.

"I don't know if it's unfair that I've missed out on the podium, that's a question for those that vote. I did all I could for the club and we won titles."

Suarez talked up his relationship with his attacking partners, admitting he has no concerns playing second-fiddle to Argentina superstar Messi.

"We get on spectacularly on and off the pitch," the former Liverpool striker added. "We see each other as team-mates. Both Neymar and I know that Leo is the best and that nobody can compete with him."

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Lionel Messi and Neymar earned Ballon d'Or nominations, with Barcelona team-mate Luis Suarez hailing them as the world's best two players.

Suarez: Messi and Neymar world's best

Two FIFA officials were arrested in Zurich early on Thursday, the Federal Office of Justice (FOJ) has confirmed.

According to US arrest requests, they are suspected of accepting bribes of millions of dollars and are being held in custody pending extradition, an FOJ statement said.

The two officials were arrested by the Zurich cantonal police ahead of a two-day meeting of FIFA's executive committee to vote on reforms within world football's governing body.

"The detention orders issued by the FOJ are based on arrest requests submitted by the United States Department of Justice on 29 November 2015. In the light of further investigations conducted by the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York, these individuals are now also suspected of having received bribes," a FOJ statement reads.

"The high-ranking FIFA officials are alleged to have taken the money in return for selling marketing rights in connection with football tournaments in Latin America, as well as World Cup qualifying matches. According to the arrest requests, some of the offences were agreed and prepared in the USA. Payments were also processed via US banks.

"On behalf of the FOJ, the Zurich cantonal police will hold hearings on the US arrest requests before the end of Thursday. Simplified proceedings apply if the wanted person declares at the hearing that they agree to be extradited immediately. In such cases, the FOJ may approve extradition to the USA immediately, and order its completion.

"However, should any person oppose their extradition, the FOJ will ask the USA to submit a formal extradition request within the 40-day deadline laid down in the bilateral extradition treaty."

The FOJ is due to announce the names of those arrested and the outcome of the hearings later on Thursday.

FIFA, meanwhile, has insisted it will continue to co-operate with the US investigation in the wake of Thursday morning's events.

"FIFA became aware of the actions taken today by the US Department of Justice," world football's governing body said in a statement.

"FIFA will continue to co-operate fully with the US investigation as permitted by Swiss law, as well as with the investigation being led by the Swiss Office of the Attorney General."

Thursday's events follow previous police actions in May, when seven FIFA officials were arrested for alleged racketeering, conspiracy and corruption.

Two of the seven former FIFA officials arrested in Zurich on 27 May 2015 agreed to simplified extradition proceedings. Jeffrey Webb and Jose Maria Marin were then transferred to the US authorities on 15 July and 3 November respectively.

However, the other five – Eugenio Figueredo, Eduardo Li, Julio Rocha, Costas Takkas and Rafael Esquivel – opposed their extradition to the USA, and their appeals against the FOJ's rulings are pending before the Federal Criminal Court.

The events in May eventually led to Sepp Blatter's decision to step down as FIFA president just days after winning a fifth term in charge of the governing body, with a new president to be elected on February 26 2016.

Blatter has since been hit with a provisional 90-day ban from all football-related activities by FIFA's ethics committee after a criminal investigation was opened into allegations he sold a World Cup TV rights contract to former FIFA official Jack Warner in a deal that was unfavourable for FIFA and that the 79-year-old made a disloyal payment of two million Swiss francs to Michel Platini, with the Frenchman and secretary general Jerome Valcke also receiving provisional bans following the corruption claims.

Issa Hayatou, who heads the Confederation of African Football (CAF), is the acting FIFA president during Blatter's ban, but will not stand for election during February's vote.

Jerome Champagne, Gianni Infantino, Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa, Tokyo Sexwale and Prince Ali bin al-Hussein are due to run for the presidency early next year.

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Swiss authorities have confirmed a further two FIFA officials were arrested in Zurich early Thursday and are being held pending extradition

BREAKING: Swiss authorities confirm FIFA arrests

Angers held Paris Saint-Germain to a goalless draw on Tuesday, impressing Laurent Blanc with their defensive tactics.

The Ligue 1 leaders were unable to secure a 10th consecutive win in the top flight despite enjoying over 70 per cent of the possession at the Stade Jean-Bouin.

PSG had scored in 26 successive league fixtures beforehand and coach Blanc paid credit to the hosts' stoic display.

"It really wasn't easy to play," he said. "If you put 10 opposition players in their own half of the field, if they are well-organised and disciplined and pushed on by the home fans and are physically strong, I can tell you, it's not easy to score goals," Blanc said.

"We had chances, but unfortunately we didn't score. If we had scored early, it would have been a very different match.

"But we also have to pay tribute to this Angers side. We're always talking about Paris Saint-Germain, but this time an opponent managed to do exactly what they set out to do: defend well and have two or three good chances on the counter. Well played."

Kevin Trapp echoed his Blanc's sentiments, adding: "It wasn't easy, but we knew before the game that it wasn't going to be. We did everything we could to win.

"At the end of the day, you have to admit that Angers played well."

PSG hold a 14-point advantage over second-placed Caen, who travel to Monaco on Wednesday for their game in hand.

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Laurent Blanc credited Angers' resilient display after they became the first side to stop Paris Saint-Germain scoring in 27 Ligue 1 games.

PSG coach Laurent Blanc impressed by stoic Angers

Former Real Madrid striker Hugo Sanchez believes Cristiano Ronaldo is struggling in the number nine position but has backed him to adapt to the role.

Ronaldo netted a penalty in Real's 2-0 weekend win over Eibar to draw level with third-placed Sanchez in La Liga's all-time scoring charts on 234 goals.

"I am glad that a player like him, and at Madrid, did it," Sanchez told AS. "It was a matter of time."

Former Mexico international Sanchez believes time is also the key to Ronaldo fully grasping the dedicated central attacking role granted to him by coach Rafael Benitez recently.

"He has other qualities. I see that he feels a little uncomfortable in the fixed forward position but he has the talent and powers to engage," Sanchez said. "He will do well.

Sanchez added that the change of position could be beneficial to Ronaldo, 30, in terms of career longevity.

"Now he lives more in the area. Maturity gives you these things. There comes a time when you wear out physically and need to save energy for certain moments.

"Everyone does this and this is what is happening with Cristiano."

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Hugo Sanchez has backed Cristiano Ronaldo to be successful in a central striking role at Real Madrid despite initial struggles.

Hugo Sanchez:  Ronaldo 'uncomfortable' as a number nine

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