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How Amaglug-glug can reach Olympic quarters

Cape Town - Brazil's surprise 0-0 stalemate with Iraq theoretically hands the South Africa Under-23 side a realistic chance of advancing to the quarter-finals of the Rio Olympics should they beat Iraq in their final match.

Amaglug-glug's hopes of progressing to the quarter-finals of the Rio Olympics men's soccer competition appeared to be hanging by a thread following the side's 1-0 loss to Denmark on Sunday.

Owen Da Gama's charges will have to defeat Iraq on August 10 and then hope that the result in the Brazil v Denmark clash goes in their favour.

As it stands, the Danes top group A with four points while Brazil and Iraq are joint second with two points each. SA Under-23s are in last spot with just one point following a draw and a loss in their first two games.

Should the unexpected happen and Denmark beat Brazil, Amaglug-glug would go through in second place if they beat Iraq.

A draw between the two countries could also play into the hands of the U23s - Da Gama's men would advance at the expense of Brazil if they win.

With that said, a win for the Brazilians could make life very difficult for the South Africans - they would have to beat Iraq by a healthy margin and then hope goal difference takes them ahead of Denmark into second place.

Should Denmark and SA finish up tied on points and on goal difference, the Scandinavians would go through because of the fact they beat Amaglug-glug.

This means the encounter with Iraq is literally a do-or-die affair for South Africa. Wednesday's action takes place at the Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo.

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