The South African men’s Olympic team have shown that they have resolve in the side‚ and players who can stand up and be counted‚ said coach Owen Da Gama ahead of his side's must-win final Group A game against Iraq. Young Bafana need a win against Iraq at Arena Corinthians in Sao Paulo (10pm in Brazil‚ 3am SA time) to stand a good chance of reaching their first Olympic Games quarterfinal.Da Gama said he expects a tough‚ rugged match from well organised Iraq‚ who held Denmark and Brazil to 0-0 draws in their first two matches.He pointed to his side having bounced back and finished third at the Caf Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying tournament in Senegal in November to reach Rio 2016 as a reason for confidence that his young men can keep their nerve under pressure against Iraq.“We qualified in Africa‚ which is a very difficult competition to qualify through. We were there with a team like Nigeria – and you have seen at the Olympics how good they are‚” Da Gama said.“We were grouped with Senegal‚ who were All Africa champions and seeded No.1 in that competition‚ and also another good team‚ Tunisia.“Our first match we lost to Senegal 3-1. We recovered in the group by beating Tunisia‚ and then in our last match [the third/fourth place playoff] we beat Senegal.“So I think there’s resolve in this team. There are players who can really stand up and be counted.”Da Gama has lost centre-forward Lebogang Mothiba and centreback Mulomowandau Mathoho through injury. One of the coach’s stars of the tournament‚ right-back Abbubaker Mobara‚ has recovered from a hamstring strain that saw him limp off in SA’s 1-0 defeat to Denmark on Sunday.That result‚ in which Mothiba and captain Keagan Dolly hit the crossbar‚ leaves South Africa needing a win‚ though in a decent position to progress.Victory by any margin is sufficient should Brazil – who have drawn against South Africa and Iraq – draw again or lose against Denmark.If Brazil beat Denmark‚ South Africa still need a win against Iraq‚ but then goal difference comes into play.Their best hope would be for Brazil to win by more than a goal‚ leaving SA needing a win by a one-goal margin.“We’re looking for the best possible outcome. It’s going to be very difficult – Iraq are a very good‚ disciplined‚ defensively very strong team‚” Da Gama said.“We are expecting a very hard and rugged game.“We watched them against Denmark and Brazil‚ and before that analysed their qualification games.“So we have a clear understanding of what they are. But we don’t overanalyse teams. It’s more important how we play.”Kwanda Mngonyama‚ who played in defensive midfield against Denmark‚ is likely to drop back into central defence next to Rivaldo Coetzee in place of Mathoho.Mothobi Mvala‚ who was suspended against the Danes after his red card against Brazil‚ should come back into midfield.In Mothiba’s absence Da Gama may be forced to field Gift Motupa as a centre-forward‚ in front of either Menzi Masuku or Tyroane Sandows.For South Africa‚ Wednesday night’s match against an Iraq side likely to defend like their lives depend on it‚ and counter-attack only sporadically‚ is almost entirely about pressurising‚ pressing‚ creating chances‚ and of course scoring.Do that and there is every chance of an historic Olympic quarterfinal place. - TMG Digital..