Following Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Egypt, the Oly Whites are still in with a chance of reaching the quarter-finals but need to upset a star-studded Brazil chasing the only international men’s football title that has eluded them and hope that Belarus fail to beat Egypt.
Even then it will come down to goal difference but Emblen says the players will embrace the challenge, and their underdog role, like they have against Belarus and Egypt so far.
“We’re excited because we have a chance and we’re playing one of the best teams in the tournament but there’s also apprehension because they have such top players,” Emblen says.
“The lads have to go in like they have in the first two games – believing they can get a result. Once the game is over we have to have no regrets, we must have given everything.”
But Emblen also acknowledges the strength of a Brazilian side where rising superstar Neymar leads a seemingly endless list of household football names.
“It’s probably the biggest David versus Goliath match up of this tournament and on paper we are worlds apart,” Emblen says.
“Most of their players will be the core of the side at the 2014 World Cup. Their squad is worth $300 million and ours has eight amateur players.
“It’s a huge task but if we can grind them down, stay in shape and then take our chances when they come then anything can happen. We will need our to be at our absolute best and they will need an off day but it’s football and upsets do happen.
“We have conceded fewer goals than they have against the same teams and if we can keep our shape defensively then we are good enough to create two, three, four or five chances and we will be a threat from set plays as well.”
Fullback Ian Hogg has recovered from the knee injury he suffered against Egypt meaning Emblen once again has a full complement of players to choose from.
Goalkeeper Jake Gleeson is once again available but Michael O’Keeffe’s performance against the Africans may demand retention of a starting place.
The match kicks off at 1.30am on Thursday morning (NZT).
Men’s Olympic Football Tournament
New Zealand v Brazil
St James’ Park, Newcastle
August 1, 2.30pm (1.30am, August 2 NZT)
Live on Sky Sport 4
New Zealand: (from) 1-Jake GLEESON (GK), 2-Tim PAYNE, 3-Ian HOGG, 4-Tim MYERS, 5-Tommy SMITH, 6-Ryan NELSEN (captain), 7-Kosta BARBAROUSES, 8-Michael McGLINCHEY, 13-Alex FENERIDIS, 9-Shane SMELTZ, 10-Chris WOOD, 11-Marco ROJAS, 12-Adam THOMAS, 14-James MUSA, 15-Cameron HOWIESON, 16-Dakota LUCAS, 17-Adam MCGEORGE, 18-Michael O’KEEFFE (GK)
Coach: Neil EMBLEN
Brazil: (from): 1-GABRIEL (GK), 2-RAFAEL, 3-THIAGO SILVA (captain), 4-JUAN JESUS, 5-SANDRO, 6-MARCELO, 7-LUCAS, 8-ROMULO, 9-LEANDRO DAMIAO, 10-OSCAR, 11-NEYMAR, 12-HULK, 13-BRUNO UVINI, 14-DANILO, 15-ALEX SANDRO, 16-GANSO, 17-ALEXANDRE PATO, 18-NETO (GK)
Coach: Mano MENEZES
Story courtesy of New Zealand Football.
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