Pele dismayed by Brazil performance

Football legend Pele on Thursday criticised Brazil's Olympic campaign which ended in a demoralising 3-0 quarter-final defeat to bitter rivals Argentina.

“I think Argentina were better prepared than Brazil,” said Pele. “Once again, Brazil couldn't win the gold medal.”

“It's not good for us but this is what happens in football, one team loses and one team wins. Against Argentina, it's always very difficult with a great rivalry.”

Pele, who is in Beijing to support Rio de Janeiro's bid to host the 2016 Olympics, said that Brazil must work on its sense of unity if it is to win an elusive gold medal.

“Brazil has to work hard to form a team because nothing will happen with just big names, with 11 big names. A team has to be prepared. If the players don't know that it will be difficult to form a team.”

Brazil will tackle Belgium on Friday in the bronze medal play-off while Argentina face Nigeria in Saturday's final.