The Asian Age

Neymar youngest to 100 Brazil caps

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Singapore, Oct. 10: Neymar became the youngest player to make 100 appearance­s for Brazil on Thursday but the Paris SaintGerma­in forward had to settle for a 1-1 draw as he failed to score in a friendly with Senegal in Singapore.

Roberto Firmino opened the scoring for the Copa America champions with a stunning lob after a Coutinho lay-off in the eighth minute.

As the half progressed, the livelier Senegal became, driven on by their captain Cheikhou Kouyate.

Famara Diedhiou levelled from the penalty spot just before half-time after Sadio Mane was dragged down in the area.

Neymar, who was not in the side that won the Copa America in June, had a relatively quiet game but went close with a 67th minute free-kick.

He then teed up Richarliso­n whose shot from the edge of the box flashed wide.

Ismaila Sarr and Mane both chances to snatch the game for Lions of Teranga.

Although he failed to get on the scoresheet, it was still a big day for the 27year-old, who became one of seven Brazilians to reach 100 caps.

He has scored 61 goals for the Selecao, making him the third highest scorer in the history of his national team.

Neymar is one behind Ronaldo but needs 16 to catch Pele who only played 92 matches. He has also provided 41 assists.

He won an Olympic gold medal in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 but has experience­d many disappoint­ments for his national team, particular­ly at the World Cup.

In 2014, in Brazil, a back injury in the quarter-finals against Colombia prevented him from being on the field for the 7-1 semi-final thrashing from Germany. had the

MESSI-LESS ARGENTINA

HOLD GERMANY

In Dortmund, Lionel Scaloni praised his battling Argentina side, missing Lionel Messi, as they scored secondhalf goals to earn a 2-2 draw in a friendly against an experiment­al Germany team on Wednesday.

The Germans flew into a 2-0 lead with first-half goals by Serge Gnabry and Kai Havertz in Dortmund before Lucas Alario turned the game when he came on for Argentina with an hour gone.

The Leverkusen striker pulled a goal back, then set up Lucas Ocampos for a deserved late equaliser. Brazil's Neymar (centre) vies for the ball with Salif Sane (right) and Cheikhou Kouyate of Senegal in their friendly at the National Stadium in Singapore on Thursday.

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