February 7 – Men’s Olympic champions Brazil suffered a shock 1-0 defeat by Paraguay in South American qualifying for the Paris Games later this year, leaving their participation in danger.
The Brazilians are playing Paraguay, Argentina and Venezuela in a four-team tournament with two tickets at stake for Paris, but their campaign took a setback when they slumped to a one-goal defeat at the hands of Paraguay with Fabrizio Peralta getting the winner on the stroke of half-time.
Argentina earned a point with a 2-2 draw against Venezuela, who play Brazil next and beat the reigning champions earlier this month. The tournament will end on February 11.
Brazil won the Tokyo Olympic tournament defeating Spain 2-1 in the final. They won their first-ever gold medal on home soil in 2016, overcoming Germany after a dramatic penalty shootout at the Maracana.
In the Oceania region, New Zealand took another step closer to qualifying for the fifth time in a row for the Olympic women’s tournament with a 3-0 win against Tonga in Tuanaimato.
The OFC region will send one representative to the women’s tournament in Paris. The qualifiers wrap up on February 19.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1734870257labto1734870257ofdlr1734870257owedi1734870257sni@i1734870257tnuk.1734870257ardni1734870257mas1734870257