Tokyo 2020: Brazil target fifth five-a-side gold with ‘Paralympic Pele’AFP, TOKYOWith flicks and tricks aplenty, Brazil’s five-a-side soccer team are bringing a touch of samba magic to the Paralympics, as they target a fifth straight gold in Tokyo. The nation that gave the world the jogo bonito “beautiful game” has just as much panache in five-a-side, which is played by athletes with visual impairments. Photo: AFPThey started their campaign in Tokyo with a 3-0 win over China on Sunday, before yesterday beating Japan 4-0. Paralympic five-a-side is played with teams of four visually impaired outfield players, who wear blackout eyeshades, and a fully or partially sighted goalkeeper, who cannot leave his penalty area. He is looking to win his fourth Paralympic gold in Tokyo, and he breaks into a wide grin when his name is mentioned in the same breath as Brazilian legend Pele.

Source: Taipei Times August 30, 2021 15:56 UTC