SHENYANG // Hernanes scored a late goal as Brazil began its quest for a first Olympic gold in football with a 1-0 win over Belgium in Group C. Hernanes netted the winner in the 79th minute, firing home from inside the area in front of a near capacity crowd at the Shenyang Olympic Stadium. Ronaldinho, Diego, Alexandre Pato and the rest of Brazils more established stars were kept in check by the Belgians for most of the match until defender Vincent Kompany was sent off in the 72nd minute after receiving a second yellow card. The Belgians and Kompany were right to feel aggrieved as his first booking was a case of mistaken identity. He was visibly upset by the decision and complained with the fourth official on the sidelines, hitting hard on the officials' table with his hand before his teammates escorted him off the field. He came back after the match, trying to confront the Saudi Arabian referee Khalil Al Ghamdi. Dunga, the former Brazilian World Cup winner and now coach of the Olympic side, admitted Brazil were pleased to kick-start their campaign with three points."It's always important to get a win in the opener," the Brazil coach Dunga said after the match. "We have a game against New Zealand now and we have to focus on that." The Belgium side more than matched their South American counterparts for large parts of the match, with Dunga conceding his players found their rearguard a tough nut to crack. "We had difficulties getting past their defensive scheme," Dunga said. "They always played several men back after losing the ball. We had to start playing more on the sides in the second half." The Olympic tournament is the only significant football title Brazil has never won.
*AP