Goals on both sides of halftime from Giovanni were enough to hand Brazil a 2-1 victory against the Netherlands in the opening match of the 2017 Men’s Nike International Friendlies at Premier Sports Campus.

Netherlands signaled their intent for a physical start in the first minute when defender Melayro Bogarde came through hard and late with a tackle on Brazillian attacker Alejandro at midfield, earning a caution in the opening minute. Referee Ramy Touchan would hand out two more yellow cards to the Dutch before the half was done, but the rough and tumble tactics didn’t deter from Brazil’s attack.

In the 17th minute, Miguel cut in from the left and fought off a Dutch defender before hitting a slow-rolling effort that goalkeeper Tein Troost collected at the left post. The Fluminense winger was active again six minutes later when he got on the end of a cross from Alejandro, but his header at the right post was well held by Troost.

Brazil would find the go-ahead goal just before halftime when Alejandro danced along the end line before cutting back for Giovanni. The Brazil captain took the ball on his right foot and curled an effort inside the upper right corner for a 38th-minute score.

Netherlands came close to an equalizer in first half stoppage time when Dirk Proper’s free kick from the left picked out Ki-Jana Hoever, whose flick-on header trickled just past the right post.

Brazil picked things up again after the break when right back Gustavo took some space and rocketed a blistering effort from distance that forced Troost to push the ball over the bar in the 48th minute.

Pushing for the second goal, Giovanni broke through the back line on the right and saw his centering pass find Bruno, whose attempt was handled on the line by Netherlands defender Ki-Jana Hoever. The referee immediately went to his back pocket, showing Hoever a straight red card before pointing to the spot.

On the ensuing penalty kick, Giovanni confidently stepped up and drove his second of the match straight down the middle to give Brazil a 2-0 lead with 10 minutes to play.

The advantage was cut in half as the 10-man Dutch side pulled back three minutes later. A looping cross from Anass Salah-Eddine found Bryan Brobbery who headed down towards the right post. Substitute Joel van Kaam pounced on the chance, opportunistically hitting a quick effort that deflected off a Brazil defender and past Bruno Carcaioli in the 73rd minute.

Despite the late goal, Brazil held on 2-1 to take the first match of the 2017 Men’s Nike International Friendlies.

2017 Men’s Nike International Friendlies Match Report

Match: Brazil U-17 Men’s National Team vs. Netherlands U-17 Men’s National Team

Date: Nov. 29, 2017

Competition: 2017 Men’s Nike International Friendlies

Venue: Premier Sports Campus Stadium Field

Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. ET

Attendance: 400

Weather: 83 degrees, humid

Scoring Summary:                1          2          F

BRA                                        1          1          2         

NED                                        0          1          1         

BRA – Giovanni (Alejandro)                            38th minute

BRA – Giovanni (penalty kick)                       70

NED – Joel van Kaam (Bryan Brobbery)       73

Lineups:

BRA: 1-Bruno Carcaioli; 2-Gustavo, 4-Alysson, 3-Derick (14-Deivid, 79), 6-Maranyao; 5-Sandry (15-Dhouglas, 58), 8-Hiago, 7-Miguel (19-Bruno, 58), 11-Alejandro (20-Wesley, 68); 9-Lazaro (18-Gabriel, 41), 10-Giovanni (capt.) (17-Bruno, 79)

Substitutes not used: 12-Pedro Henrique, 13-Yago, 16-Gabriel Rodrigues da Silva, 18-Gabriel de Souza Borsatto

Head coach: Carlos Amadeu

NED: 16-Tein Troost; 2-Ki-Jana Hoever, 3-Melayro Bogarde (12-Neraysho Kasanwirjo, 41), 4-Ian Mahtsen, 5-Anass Salah-Eddine; 6-Dirk Proper (capt.) (14-Mohamed Taabouni, 62), 10-Mohamed-Amine Ihattaren (19-Syb van Ottele, 80), 8-Ryan Gravenberch; 7-Naoufal Bannis (17-Joel van Kaam, 41) 9-Bryan Brobbery, 11-Sontje Hansen (20-Jaymillo Pina, 62)

Substitutes not used: 1-Calvin Raatsie, 13-Kenneth Taylor, 15-Steven van der Sloot, 18-Twan van der Zeeuw

Head coach: Kees van Wonderen

Misconduct Summary:

NED – Melayro Bogarde (caution)                 1st minute 

NED - Ki-Jana Hoover (caution)                   20

NED – Anass Salah-Eddine (caution) 31

NED – Ki-Jana Hoever (sent off)                   69

NED – Ian Mahtsen (caution)                         80+1

Officials: 

Referee: Ramy Touchan (USA)

Assistant Referee 1: John Krill (USA)

Assistant Referee 2: Art Arustamyan (USA)

Fourth Official: Malik Badawi (USA)

Note: Match was played in two 40-minute halves