FOOTBALL NEWS FROM Euro 2012
Ten-man Brazil hold off Dutch
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Brazil had midfielder Ramires sent-off as they drew a blank against World Cup runners-up Netherlands.

The Selecao did not have it all their own way against a resolute Dutch side in a re-run of last summer's World Cup quarter-final in South Africa and were booed off by the home fans at the Estadio Serra Dourada in Goiania.

Despite the best efforts of Santos forward Neymar and the impressive Elano, Brazil were strangely subdued. The first half was a low-key affair with the hosts' only real chance falling to Ramires but the Chelsea man lashed his shot over the bar.

The Netherlands' Ibrahim Afellay threatened at the other end but his shot was blocked by the legs of home goalkeeper Julio Cesar.

Robin van Persie also came close just before the break after getting on the end of a Kevin Strootman free-kick.

Brazil almost broke the deadlock at the start of the second period with only a wonderful save from Tim Krul denying Neymar.

Van Persie then smuggled a Thiago Silva effort off the line.

A raft of substitutions disrupted the flow of the game before Brazil were reduced to 10 men when Ramires picked up his second yellow 11 minutes from time for a foul on Bayern Munich's Arjen Robben.

Julio Cesar said he understood the fans' reaction at the end but pleaded for patience under new coach Mano Menezes.

The Inter Milan goalkeeper said: "Supporters want to see goals but this is a new project under a new coach and it needs time to work.''

Holland remain in South America and play Uruguay in Montevideo on Wednesday while Brazil meet Romania in Sao Paulo on Tuesday.