Brazil U-20 Kick off 2017 Toulon Tournament with Win vs. Indonesia

Brazil U-20 won their 2017 Toulon Tournament opener 1-0 against Indonesia, courtesy of a goal from Sao Paulo prospect Gabriel Novaes at the Stadium d'Honneur in Salon de Provence, southern France.

The victory marks a winning return to the Toulon format for Brazil following two years away from the tournament. It also means coach Carlos Amadeu's team have started with three points in Group C.

The tournament's official Twitter account detailed Brazil's starting XI, with the goalscorer acting as the focal point for a talented and fluid forward line:

Here's how Indonesia lined up:

Novaes struck seven minutes before half-time after Indonesia had begun brightly against a normally forward-thinking Brazil squad. The latter went close several times, with Fabricio Oya, Paulo Vitor and gifted winger Marquinhos Cipriano all causing Indonesia problems.

However, it needed a smart piece of finishing from Novaes to break Indonesia's resistance. He shot firmly on the turn after rolling his marker in the box.

Andre Penner/Associated Press

Substitute Juninho went close nine minutes after the break as Brazil stepped up the pressure. Brazil were benefiting from an exceptional performance at the heart of midfield by Vinicius, whose passing was excellent. Meanwhile, raiding right-back Emerson was getting forward at will in Amadeu's adventurous 4-3-3 formation.

Brazil were also keeping things tight defensively. Centre-back Gabriel Oliveria and left-back Michael Rangel were particularly impressive.

Juninho went close again with 13 minutes left on the clock after being deftly played in by fellow sub Pablo Silva. Not for the first time, Amadeu's players found Muhammad Riyandi a stubborn figure in the Indonesia goal.

Indonesia's best chance came when Witan Sulaeman cracked a shot off the post. Yet it was as close as they came to troubling a solid if unspectacular Brazil side.