Young Bafana narrowly go down to Denmark

Robert Skov's second-half goal proved the difference as South Africa suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Denmark in their second game of the 2016 Summer Olympics.

The first half was an evenly contested affair, with both sides throwing caution to the wind and creating several good goal-scoring opportunities.

However, the two sides would go into the half-time break on level pegging due to a lack of cutting edge in front of goal.

And the deadlock was finally broken on 69 minutes, Robert Skov slotting home what would turn out to be the wining goal.

The first half was an action-packed affair, with both sides creating a whole host of chances. However, with opening 45 minutes would end goalless due to a combination of good goalkeeping and poor finishing.

Denmark came flying out of the starting blocks and twice went close to claiming an early lead as Frederik Borsting and Emil Larsen both failed to find the mark.

Amaglug-glug hit back in the seventh minute, Gift Motupa seeing his goal-bound effort saved in the centre of goal by Denmark keeper Jeppe Hojberg.

Later efforts from Eddi Gomes and Borsting were also wayward as Denmark struggled to find a cutting edge in front of goal, while at the opposite end of the pitch, Motupa was again denied by Hojberg.

South Africa keeper Itumeleng Khune, meanwhile, was eventually called into action to deny two separate efforts from Lasse Vibe, while team-mates Jakob Blåbjerg and Jens Jonsson both headed wide of the target.

And, as the first half came to a close, South Africa skipper Keagan Dolly tired his luck from 35 yards out, only for Hojberg to save in the top-left corner.

After a somewhat muted start to the second stanza, the match sprang back to life in the 56th minute when Dolly again drew a save from Hojberg after letting fly from range.

Kwanda Mngonyama also went close for Amaglug-glug, getting on the ball five minutes later, before seeing his right-footed shot from outside the box kept out by Hojberg.

However, Denmark hit back with a series of fine chances in quick succession, eventually breaking the deadlock in the 69th minute. Skov latched onto a pass from Jacob Bruun, before shooting into the bottom-left corner from the centre of the box.

They very nearly added to their advantage two minutes later, but Vibe's left-footed shot from the left side of the box skewed wide of the right-hand post.

Knowing they could ill afford a defeat in the second round of fixtures, South Africa redoubled their efforts in the remaining minutes in a bid to draw level.

However, Mathoho's speculative effort from rage was comfortably snapped up by Hojberg, while Gift Motupa again forced the keeper into action in the 80th minute with a shot from outside the box.

And, with time running out, South Africa fashioned one last chance to draw level in the 88th minute. However, Dolly couldn't capitalise on the chance, dragging a right-footed effort wide from the edge of the area.