Brazil vs. New Zealand: Players to Watch in Selecao's Final Group Game

With only one group game left in the men’s football tournament at the 2012 London Olympics, Brazil will have several stars shining against New Zealand.

The Seleção entered the tournament as one of the favorites and the team has looked impressive thus far. The dynamic attack has produced six goals in two matches and led the team to two victories.

New Zealand is not considered a threat to challenge the top teams in the tournament and it is doubtful that the squad will give Brazil much difficulty.

Here are the players who have helped the Brazilians score goals and win games going forward.

Neymar 

The 20-year-old phenom is the tournament’s most exciting player and he has proved exactly why in the first two matches.

Brazil looked half asleep when its match against Belarus started and allowed an early goal to its opponents. Then Neymar took over.

He started his team’s scoring with an inch-perfect cross that Alexander Pato headed in. His brilliance continued with an incredible free kick from distance that curled into the far-side netting.

Then, to make sure his team won the match, he received the ball on the wing, flew by his defender and tapped the ball to Oscar with his heal for his second assist.

There is no player in the tournament as talented or exciting as Neymar.

Thiago Silva

Silva is one Brazil’s over-aged players and was brought to London to solidify the defense and captain the team. 

So far, the back line has not been all that impressive. The Brazilians allowed two goals Egypt after taking a 3-0 lead, then showed a shocking lack of urgency by allowing Belarus to take the early advantage. 

The defenders must raise their level of play in the knockout stages, and would do well to play to their full ability against New Zealand. If they continue to make the same mistakes, they will suffer a disappointing defeat in the later matches.

Silva is the best and most experienced player on the back line. He must perform better and lead the other defenders going forward if Brazil hopes to win its first-ever gold medal.

Oscar 

Thiago Silva anchors the defense, Neymar terrorizes the opposing back line and Oscar provides the creative spark in the midfield.

The 20-year-old No. 10 is Brazil’s third key player and he is a fantastic playmaker who can destroy a team as a scorer or a distributor. He has played every minute of the first two matches and he will certainly have an impact on this next game.

He will reportedly move from Brazil’s Internacional to Chelsea prior to the English Premier League season, and he is already endearing himself to British football fans. 

Oscar’s inventive play and soft touches will continue to drive the highlight machine that Brazil has been throughout the tournament.