Neymar and Brazil's stars held to draw by South Africa in opener

Host Brazil could only manage a disappointing 0-0 draw against South Africa as the men's soccer competition began at the Olympics on Thursday.

South Africa put an early scare into the hosts as Lebo Mothiba's third-minute shot was blocked by on-rushing keeper Weverton.

It was a frustrating first half for Brazil and its star forward Neymar, who twice saw South African keeper Itumeleng Khune tip 20-yard shots over the bar.

Brazil greatly controlled possession, but South Africa did have two early chances to score through Keagan Dolly and Mothiba early in the second half.

But South Africa's hopes at an upset win ended soon after when Mothobi Mvala picked up two yellow cards for a pair of fouls in quick succession and was sent off in the 59th minute.

Brazil nearly took the lead in the 69th minute when the ball trickled across the box to Gabriel Jesus, but the new Manchester City signing could only hit the outside of the post with the net gaping.

Neymar flashed a shot inches too high three minutes later, then played through Gabriel Barbosa, only for Khune to make another good save.

Deep into stoppage time, Khune handled a low shot from Neymar as the hosts failed to find a breakthrough and were booed off the field by their fans in Brasilia.

Honduras 3, Algeria 2

Honduras held off a late comeback to win the opening game in Group D.

Anthony Lozano beat the offside trap to go through on goal in the 13th minute, and though his shot was cleared off the line, it fell for Romell Quioto to open the scoring.

Algeria lost their captain Ryad Keniche to injury after a half-hour and it got worse for the African team three minutes later when Marcelo Pereira doubled Honduras' lead with a looping header.

Algeria got a goal back with Sofiane Bendebka's 68th minute header, but Honduras restored the two-goal advantage when Algeria keeper Farid Chaal spilled a simple cross and Lozano was on hand to tap in.

With five minutes left, Algeria cut it to 3-2 with a Baghdad Bounedjah header, and Algeria nearly had an equalizer, only for Oussama Darfalou to head over the bar from four yards out.

Denmark 0, Iraq 0

Denmark and Iraq opened the men's competition with a goalless draw in Group A.

With Denmark content to play for a draw, substitute Mohannad Abdul-Rahim nearly sparked Iraq to victory, but he could not find a winner.