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"Thousands of Argentine fans, still hung over from their basketball team's upset of Team USA, showed up 12 hours later for an unusually early men's Olympic soccer final. Their bleary eyes witnessed history. Argentina, off the foot of rising star Carlos Tevez, beat Paraguay 1-0 for its first gold medal in any sport in 52 years.
The last time the Argentine anthem, "Oid Mortales," was heard at the Olympics was in Helsinki in 1952, when Argentina won a double sculls rowing gold. As the light blue and white flag made its way up the flag pole Saturday, Argentine players and fans belted out the anthem proudly. After an early exit in the 2002 World Cup and settling for second at the Copa America last month, Argentine soccer fans were ready to rejoice."
Read more at Goal and gold: Argentina reigns in men's soccer
"Argentina won its first Olympic gold medal in soccer Saturday, beating Paraguay 1-0 on Carlos Tevez's eighth goal of the tournament.
Despite the loss, Paraguay captured its first medal in any sport. Italy won the bronze Friday, beating Iraq 1-0.
The victory gave Argentina its third Olympic soccer medal. It finished second to Nigeria in 1996 and to Uruguay in 1928.
In a game the Argentines controlled from the beginning, Mauro Rosales helped set up the winning goal in the 18th minute with a cross from the right side. Tevez ran between Paraguay defenders Julio Manzur and Carlos Gamarra and shot the ball into the net from about 20 feet out.
The Paraguayan defenders had trouble with Tevez for most of the game, and Gamarra and Manzur were given yellow cards for hauling him down after he scored."
Read more at Argentina wins soccer gold
The winner of the Gold Medal: Team from Argentina
The winner of the Silver Medal: Team from Paraguay
The winner of the Bronze Medal: Team from Italy
"The Iraqi men's soccer team fell just short of earning a medal at the Athens Olympics when they lost 1-0 to Italy on Friday at Kaftanzoglio Stadium.
Iraq, a surprise to even make it out of the first round, was looking for just its second medal ever at the Olympic Games. Abdul Wahid Aziz won a bronze medal in weightlifting during the 1960 Games. But Alberto Gilardino's goal in the first half for Italy was too much for the underdog Iraqis.
A medal looked like a possibility for Iraq after it won its first two matches of the competition to earn a spot in the quarterfinals. They then edged out Australia to move even closer to glory. Two straight losses -- to Paraguay and now Italy -- ended the run for a medal, but, still, the accomplishment of advancing this far in the competition was a victory for the war-ravaged country."
Read more at Iraq Falls Short in Bid for Soccer Medal
"Iraqi and Italian soccer players plan to wear black armbands on their uniforms during their Olympic bronze medal game today. The armbands are in honor of an Italian journalist killed in Iraq. The International Olympic Committee has approved Iraq's request for the armbands. Italy's delegation is proposing that all its athletes be allowed to wear the armbands for the rest of today."
Read more at Iraq, Italy to wear armbands in soccer
"They went out the way they came in, acting as if it was all such a surprise and this was the greatest day of their lives.
They gave the impression they would have played this way, this hard, this gosh-darn giddily, whether the entire world was watching or they simply were kicking the ball around a playground.
When soccer's Fab Five and the rest of the U.S. women's Olympic team heard all the cheers Thursday night at Karaiskaki Stadium and felt the love of a raucous crowd, it was as if the attention floored them. Then, in a brilliant, emotionally charged soccer show, the Americans beat Brazil 2-1 in overtime for the Olympic gold medal."
Read more at Fab Five of women's soccer disband with gold
The winner of the Gold Medal: Team from United States
The winner of the Silver Medal: Team from Brazil
The winner of the Bronze Medal: Team from Germany
" The U.S. women's soccer team was 45 minutes away from winning back the Olympic gold medal Thursday, taking a 1-0 halftime lead over Brazil on a goal by Lindsay Tarpley in the 39th minute. The goal could be controversial, however, as replays showed that Brandi Chastain's hand may have touched the ball moments before she passed to Tarpley for the goal.
U.S. captain Julie Foudy started the game despite spraining her right ankle in a quarterfinal victory over Germany on Monday."
Read more at The Seattle Times: News from AP
Update - At Full time the scores are 1 - 1. Extra time is now about to start.
With 8 minutes of extra time still to play the US have just scored taking it to 2 - 1.
The final score was 2 - 1 to the US.
"The Fab Five and the rest of the U.S. women's soccer team want to ride their emotions to the gold medal, rather than have those emotions get in the way.
It's a difficult balance to strike: The young players wants to send Mia Hamm & Co. out as winners, but many similarly inspired teams have fallen short because they were simply trying too hard.
"I don't want them to feel that I'm putting pressure on them to have to do it for me, or for us," Hamm said. "Let's do it for each other."
The long goodbye ends for the Fab Five on Thursday when the United States plays Brazil for the Olympic title. It will be the long-anticipated chance for Hamm, Julie Foudy, Joy Fawcett, Kristine Lilly and Brandi Chastain to end their time together as world champions, a bragging right they haven't been able to claim for five years."
Read more at Fab Five looks for a golden finish
"The Iraqi soccer team's improbable run at an Olympic gold medal ended Tuesday night with a 3-1 semifinal loss to Paraguay. The Iraqis still have a chance for a bronze, which would be their war-weary nation's first medal in 44 years.
Paraguay made history of its own, getting two goals from Jose Cardozo and one from Fredy Bareiro to advance to Saturday's gold-medal game against Argentina, a 3-0 winner over Italy. Gold or silver, it will be the first Olympic medal of any sort for Paraguay.
Iraq and Italy will play for the bronze Friday night."
Read more at Iraqi soccer team's storybook run ends with 3-1 semifinal loss to Paraguay; bronze still at stake
"Argentina defeated Italy 3-0 in the men's Olympic soccer semifinals Tuesday and will play for its first gold medal in South America's favorite sport. Budding star Carlos Tevez scored his seventh goal in five matches to give Argentina the lead in the 16th minute."
Read more at Argentina vs. Italy Olympic soccer results
"Argentina defeated Italy 3-0 in the men's Olympic soccer semifinals Tuesday and will play for its first gold medal in South America's favorite sport.
Budding star Carlos Tevez scored his seventh goal in five matches to give Argentina the lead in the 16th minute. River Plate's Luis Gonzalez doubled the tally in the 69th and second-half substitute Mariano Gonzalez put the game out of reach six minutes from the end after an unselfish pass from Tevez.
The South Americans, who have now outscored the opposition 16-0 in five matches, forced the play from start to finish, while the Italians resorted to their now familiar defensive tactics and occasional counterattacks.
Sentimental favorite Iraq was to play Paraguay in the other semifinal later Tuesday, with the winner to meet Argentina in Saturday morning's final at the main Olympic Stadium. Italy meets the loser in the bronze medal match.
Andres D'Alessandro and Luis Gonzalez combined to start the play that led to Argentina's first goal."
Read more at Argentina advances to men's soccer final with 3-0 win against Italy
"Argentina-Italy may look like a premier soccer matchup - but most eyes are on a team in Tuesday's other Olympic semifinal. Iraq has overcome unprecedented problems to get within one game of the gold-medal match. It has to beat another outsider, Paraguay, to reach the final and doesn't care who it meets when it gets there.
"This success is very important for our people in Iraq," coach Adnan Hamad told reporters on the eve of the semifinal in Thessaloniki. "Every day we have one more win, they have more celebration. They are with us here.
"We have to try our best to win and give our people some hope to be happy, to be smiling and to celebrate like other people.""
Read more at Iraqi soccer team carries nation's hopes
"OLYROOS fitness trainer Anthony Crea has been banned and fined for making an offensive gesture during the Australians' Olympic soccer match against Serbia and Montenegro.
Crea was fined €8130 ($13,900) and suspended for five matches, meaning he will watch the rest of the tournament from the stands."
Read more at Aussie official fined, banned
"Delighted Korea Republic coach Kim Ho-kon praised his players for their spirit in fighting back from three goals down to draw 3-3 with Mali on Tuesday and reach the Olympic quarter-finals.
Korea Republic looked like joining Japan on the sidelines after a Tenema Ndiaye hat-trick put Mali in the driving seat after 55 minutes but the Koreans roared back with three goals in seven minutes, two by striker Cho Jae-jin, to earn an invaluable point.
"I want to thank my players for producing this surprise comeback and getting a draw," said Kim.
"Our opponents scored two quick goals in the first half although my team were ready for the match, both mentally and physically."
Read more at Kim praises Korean fighting spirit
"Portugal were bundled out of the men's soccer tournament at the Athens Olympics on Wednesday after a humiliating 4-2 defeat by Costa Rica.
Morocco's 2-1 victory over Iraq in the other Group D match ensured co-favorites Portugal became the biggest casualty of the first round in Athens.
Portugal, who were without suspended Manchester United midfielder Cristiano Ronaldo and Fulham's Luis Boa Morte, twice squandered the lead as they finished bottom of the group.
"We are very disappointed not to reach the quarter-finals," said Portugal's coach Jose Romao. "We were poor. This team"
Read more at Portugal Suffers Humiliating Athens Exit in Soccer
"Iraq suffered their first defeat at the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament 2004, going down 2-1 to Morocco but still progressed to the quarter-finals as Group D winners following Portugal’s 4-2 loss to Costa Rica.
The West Asian side had appeared on course for their third consecutive win at the Olympics after taking the lead through Salih Sadir at the Pampeloponnisiako Stadium, but the North African side fought back with goals by Bouabid Bouden and Salaheddine Aqqal giving them victory."
Read more at Iraq claim top spot despite loss
"Portugal striker Luis Boa Morte was hit with a two-match ban after being sent-off in his team's opening Olympic Games football match with Iraq.
Boa Morte, who plays for English Premiership side Fulham, was dismissed in the 51st minute of the match in Patras on Thursday for kicking out at the heels of Bassim Abbas as his side tumbled to a shock 4-2 defeat."
Read more at Portugal striker Boa Morte hit with two-match ban
"The U.S. team complained, and FIFA responded. The president of the world soccer body said Monday that the yellow-card suspension rule has been changed for the Olympic women's tournament, easing concerns that the Americans could lose a key player for the quarterfinals.
"We will have a clear sheet when we go to the quarterfinals," Sepp Blatter said while greeting U.S. players at the athletes' hotel in Thessaloniki.
Under normal FIFA rules, a player who receives two yellow cards in the first round of a major tournament is suspended for the quarterfinals. Coach April Heinrichs had argued that the rule was unfair for these Olympics because not all the women's teams are playing the same number of first-round games."
Read more at FIFA Changes Yellow Card Rule for Olympics
"Instead of playing for their lives under a torturous regime, Iraq's soccer vagabonds played as though they had the time of their lives last night.
Pushing the play relentlessly in front of a delirious partisan crowd, the driven Iraqis struck for a pair of second-half goals to keep their fairy-tale Olympic odyssey alive with a 2-0 thumping of Costa Rica.
The victory advanced the Iraqis to the quarterfinals, a stunning showing for a once-proud program that had been demoralized and brutalized by Uday Hussein, the country's sadistic former Olympic director."
Read more at Iraq soccer vagabonds right at home
"First it was Nigeria, then Cameroon. Now it could be Mali.
The Olympic soccer tournament has thrown up two African champions in a row and there’s a chance of a hat-trick.
Mali first served notice of its credibility as a rising soccer nation at the African Nations Cup. It also eliminated Olympic champion Cameroon during the qualifying rounds for Athens 2004.
A 0-0 tie with Mexico made more people take note and on Saturday it flashed the clearest possible signal to its Olympic rivals by beating host nation Greece, 2-0.
“We got what we wanted and we’re very happy for that,” said Mamadi Berthe, scorer of the first goal in Thessaloniki. “We had good organization in our game, while by scoring the second goal we lost all track of anxiety and we were able to play our game. It was a good game and we enjoyed it.”"
Read more at Mali could pull off African hat-trick
"Carlos Tevez inspired Olympic tournament favorites Argentina to a comfortable 2-0 victory over Tunisia on Saturday, preserving their perfect record at the Athens Games.
The Boca Juniors playmaker scored a brilliant goal in the 39th minute to highlight a super-charged performance reminiscent of another great Argentine No. 10, Diego Maradona.
"Tevez is so important to this team," said Argentina coach Marcelo Bielsa. "But all the attacking players are working well together -- it's almost perfect.""
Read more at Argentina takes Tunisia in Olympics
"Soccer action began last Wednesday, even though the Olympics technically did not get started until Friday night's opening ceremony, and the United States opened with a 3-0 win over Greece.
With only two of the 10 teams in the women's tourney being eliminated in the preliminary round, the United States' three group games are mere preludes to the main event.
The Americans will face Brazil Saturday in a battle of opening-game winners. Brazil defeated Australia on Wednesday, 1-0."
Read more at Team USA meets Brazil in soccer.
Iraq's footballers brought a ray of comfort to the war-torn country by upsetting Portugal 4-2 in their opening game of the Olympic men's soccer tournament on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Italy escaped a similar fate to Portugal as they fought back from two goals down to salvage a 2-2 draw with Ghana in Group B.
Striker Alberto Gilardino pounced in the 83rd minute to earn Italy a point after an absorbing game in Volos. Paraguay moved top of the group with a 4-3 victory over Japan in Thessaloniki.
Source Reuters Olympics-Soccer-Iraq stun Portugal 4-2 at Athens Games
Group B
Ghana Vs Italy Kick off 18.30 Greek Time
Ghana have set themselves an goal for Athens which is to do better than they did in 1992, their last appearance in the Olympic Games, when they claimed the bronze medal. They have had a Pep talk from the country's President, John Agyekum Kufuor saying "I urge you to take inspiration from your predecessors, who were the first Africans to win an Olympic medal." Striker Poku was one of the stars of the qualifying campaign, Scoring 3 of his side's 7 goals. Italy on the other hand are hoping to add to there only olympic football gold gained at the berling games in 1936. In keeping with best Italian tradition, this is a team that knows how to defend well but they also know how to scrape a result.
Prediction
Ghana 0-1 Italy
Key Player
Andrea Pirlo
Group B
Paraguay vs Japan Kick Off 18.30 Greek Time
Paraguay biggest moment in their footballing history came in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament as recentley as January 2004 when the youngsters finished second beating Brazil in their final match to deny them the last Olympic berth, even though a draw would have been enough for the Brazilians to qualify. Coach Carlos Jara say's "We're going to Athens to give our all in every game, just as we did in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament. If luck is on our side, we could even come home with a medal." and with that sort of attitude who can stop them. The Japanese have proven themselves one of the most consistent and gifted side's in the west and with them reaching the quarter-final stage of the last Men's Olympic Football Tournament in Sydney 2000, they will be hoping to go a little further and pick up a medal. They aslo have Asia's Young Player of the Year in Yoshito Okubo.
Prediction
Paraguay 0-1 Japan
Key Player
Yoshito Okubo
"Can an African team emulate Cameroon's feat?
Got an opinion? Express it here. Each week we throw up a different subject to let followers of African football have their say. Some of your views will be read on Fast Track - the BBC's African sports programme.
Africa's quest for Olympic football gold in Athens will commence on 11 August, when Mali take on Mexico in a Group A match.
Olympic men's fixtures
But does Mali or the continent's other four representatives at the Olympics - Ghana, Morocco, Tunisia and Nigeria's Super Falcons - the only African team in the women's event - have a real chance of winning the top prize?
Nigeria won gold at the 1996 games in Atlanta, with Cameroon equalling Nigeria's feat four years later in Sydney."
Read more at Will Africa win another Olympic gold?.
Group D
Iraq vs Portugal Kick Off 18.30 Greek Time
Despite all the other thing's going on in Iraq, football is helping the country out when Iraq's U-23 side scraped through a hard-fought AFC Group C to win the last but not least Asian spot at the Olympic Football Tournament, and if they go on to do well here could cause more dramatic celebrations in there home country. Iraq's U-23 side scraped through a hard-fought AFC Group C to win the last but not least Asian spot at the Olympic Football Tournament. Portugal are surley one of the favourites for the Gold medal and after the dissapointment of Euro 2004 in there home country, they will be wanting to do better than the senior team managed. With the Portugese proving the fitness of full team member Ronaldo,could be key to thee sucess.
Prediction
Iraq 0-3 Portugal
Key Player
Christiano Ronaldo
Group D
Costa Rica Vs Morocco Kick off 18.30 Greek Time
Costa Rica have won only one Olympic football match in its history.When they defeated Italy 1-0 in Los Angeles, 1984. They play with a bit of flair and a solid defence which saw them pick up 3-0 and 4-0 wins in qualifying. Morocco only just crept into the Athens competiton after they beat Angola and were hoping Uganda could triumph over Ethiopia.Morocco have played a total of 17 matches at the Games, losing 13, drawing twice, and recording two wins.
Prediction
Costa Rica 2-2 Morocco
Key Player
Erick Scott
We are tracking the results of preliminary matches of the Olympic Football Tournament Live at:
- Women's Football Results and Medalists
- Men's Football Results and Medalists
For all the latest results throughout the Olympics check out Latest Olympic Results
Argentina showed there true brilliance by putting six past Serbia Montenegro Goals from Star's Delgado, Gonzalez,Heinze,Rosales and two from Tevez in two Minutes before the end of the second half porved this to be one of the teams to beat. In the other games Mali and Mexico played out a 0-0 Draw, Tunisa held Australia to a 1-1 draw, while the host's Greece pulled back a 2-0 deficit to draw Korea 2-2.
Germany's Women managed to put eight goals past China in an 8 - 0 white wash, which included four goals from Women's world footballer of the year Birgit Prinz, the result to be fair flattered Germany who where only two up at half time and had China capatilised on early second half chances could have come away with a point.
The US beat the host nation Greece three goals to nil with there third coming from American football legend Mia Hamm.
Japan beat Sweden after a schoolgirl error from goalkeeper Joensson allowed Arakawa to slip it into the back of the net after 22 minutes.
In the final game Brazil scraped a 1 - 0 win over Australia who's defence just couldn't hold them.
Full Results Athens Olympics Official Site
Group C
Tunisia Vs Australia Kick Off 20:30 Greek Time
Tunisia conceded just 2 goals in 6 qualifying games making them one of the in form teams on the way into this tournament Up front the striking duo of Ali Zitouni and Saber Trabelsi both playing there club football in Tunisia provide the goals this is there fourth time at the Olympics and they will no doubt be hoping to break there duck of never winning a game. There record reads played 9, drew 3, lost 6. Australia have most of there major names missing from the competition partly due to age and partly due to not being allowed to go by there clubs one important person could be Craig Moore he goes into the Olympics having apparently sacrificed his career at Scottish club Rangers for the chance to represent Australia.The 28-year-old was transfer-listed and stripped of the Rangers captaincy after telling boss Alex McLeish that he was determined to represent his country at the Olympics.
Prediction
Tunisia 1 - 1 Australia
Key Man
Craig Moore - Australia
Group C
Argentina Vs Serbia & Montenegro Kick Off 20:30 Greek Time
Argentina have already upset Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson before the games begin by calling up there new signing Gabriel Heinze, whether or not he show's is potential is yet to be seen. With players from Barcelona,Valencia and both Milan clubs they are strong contenders to go further than there previous best silver medal. Serbia and Montenegro have done pretty well previously as part of Yugoslavia, they appeared in the Games 10 times, finishing runners-up on three occasions (1948, 1952 and 1956) collecting a bronze medal in 1984 and a cherished Gold in 1960. As Serbia and Montengro they have not qualified for a games since soeul in 1988 they will definitley get a few goals and probably let a few more in.
Prediction
Argentina 4 - 2 Serbia & Montenegro
Key Man
Gabriel Heinze - Argentina
Group A
Mali Vs Mexico Kick Off 20:30 Greek Time
This is Mali's first ever Olympic games and after the senior side got to the Semi finals of the African cup of Nation's the younger team are hoping to go one better and get a medal at this event, they have a top defence and Mad Diallo, Janvier Abouta and Dramane Traoré scored 10 goals between them in qualifying. Mexico on the other hand are flying high, ranked 8th in the world after getting knocked out of the last world cup by the USA they got the revenge on the way to the olympics knocking them out along the way when Rafael Marquez Lugo and Co knocked four goals past them.
Prediction
Mali 0 - 3 Mexico
Key Man
Rafael Marquez Lugo - Mexico
Group A
Greece Vs South Korea Kick Off 20:30 Greek Time
South Korea may be hoping that the Greek football team drop the olympic torch on the way to the opening ceremony in the hope that there luck has finally run out. Greece have just come back from Portugal where they pulled of the sporting shock of the year by winning the european championships and defeating Portugal twice and France on the way. Greece have never got past the first round of this tournament though to be fair they have only entered twice the last time being in 1952. Greece have the player of Euro 2004 missing in Theodoros Zagorakis but do have the home support which often does well and did South Korea enough favours to get them to the World Cup 2002 semi finals unfotunately since the departure of Guus Hiddink they have not really performed to there potential again but with Real Sociedad's Lee Chun-soo up front they should be able to score a few goals this tournament.
Prediction
Greece 2 - 1 South Korea
Key Man
Amanatidis - Greece
Group G
Brazil Vs Australia Kick Off 18:00 Greek Time
This could be a very interesting game with the Brazilians being the most skillfull of the womens football teams in the world take on the rough and tumble Australians. Brazil play Attacking football and Australia play defencivley meaning alot of Brazilian shots and a lot of Australian tackles, the Brazilians are starting to be noticed as serious players in the women's football game and Auatralia are hoping to finish higher than the 7th the managed in there home town of sydney, look out for Lana Harch who scored a hatrick in the 3 - 0 beating of Fiji in the qualifiers.
Prediction
Brazil 2 - 1 Australia
Key Player
Lana Harch
Group G
Greece Vs Usa Kick Off 18:00 Greek Time
Greece Qualify as hosts for this event and taken on number 2 in the world USA in there first match, the Greeks have improved tremendously over the past few years and will surely be encouraged by the male teams success in Euro 2004, the Greeks also have seven US based players in there squad witch should make this match a bit fierce. The US on the other hand are falling the other way, this olympics will be the last major tournament for most of there players as they hit that age and they will surely be hoping to go out with gold.
Prediction
Greece 1 - 1 USA
Key Player
Mia Hamm
Group E
Sweden Vs Japan Kick Off 18:00 Greek Time
Sweden were last years World Cup suprise getting to the final against Germany and only loosing to an extra time golden goal. They have although failed to keep up the results and finished a lowly fifith earlier in the year in the Algarve Cup, star striker Hanna Ljungberg is supposed to be back for them and could prove key in this match. Japan are another team who have never won a Olympic Match at the tournament, though they had some impressive results in the qualifiers beating Vietnam (7-0) and Thailand (6-0), they have good teamwork and could do well in Greece
Prediction
Sweden 3 - 0 Japan
Key Player
Hanna Ljungberg
Group F
Germany vs China Kick Off 18:00 Greek Time
Germany are the Current World Cup holders in women's football they have however lost two of there key players in Bettina Wiegmann and Maren Meinert who called time on there careers after the world cup triumph, they do have 2003's Women's World Player of the Year Birgit Prinz as there captain to spur them on. China are a team who according to there coach Zhang Haitao "Are on our way back to becoming one of the world's top sides." but i dont think this will be there year as thy only just managed to come through a pretty easy qualifying group.
Prediction
Germany 2 - 1 China
Key Player
Birgit Prinz
"At the end of a workout under a searing sun at an old Greek stadium, captain Julie Foudy gathered the U.S. women's soccer team in a midfield huddle.
"Let's get this party started!'' Foudy bellowed in a singsong voice.
The party that is the 2004 Olympic Games is indeed about to begin, with soccer kick-starting the festivities two days ahead of everything else.
The United States opens against Greece on Wednesday on the island of Crete, one of eight games two days before the opening ceremony for a sport that has to start early to squeeze everything in.
"We've been ready for a month,'' goalkeeper Briana Scurry said. "We're very excited to see what we've got.''
Most everyone knows what the United States has - a deep, talented team determined to reclaim its supremacy after disappointing finishes at the 2000 Olympics and the 2003 World Cup.
Greece, however, is another matter. The soccer-mad country that so euphorically celebrated its surprising men's European Championship title last month barely recognizes the women's game."
Read more at U.S. meets Greece in curtain raiser
"EUGEN GALEKOVIC has claimed the goalkeeping spot ahead of Brad Jones for Australia's opening Olympic men's soccer game with Tunisia in Crete tomorrow.
In probably the most contentious spot, coach Frank Farina selected Melbourne-based Galekovic ahead of the reserve Middlesbrough 'keeper.
Farina is sticking with the attacking formation he has used in the lead-up Games, effectively opting for three forwards.
The match is a vital one for the Olyroos who are expected to need at least a draw if they are to get past the preliminary round."
Read more at Farina opts for Galekovic
"THE gold diggers from Africa will be hoping to complete a hat-trick at the Athens Olympic Games soccer tournament starting today.
Nigeria won the 1996 Atlanta Games with a thrilling 3-2 win over Argentina in the final and Cameroon triumphed on penalties against Spain in the 2000 Sydney final despite conceding a first-minute goal.
A shock-riddled qualifying competition for Greece saw Cameroon and Nigeria eliminated and of the four Sydney challengers, only Morocco survived as South Africa flopped.
Morocco will be joined in the Athens Games by 1992 bronze medallists Ghana, Tunisia and debutants Mali.
Mali drew Greece, Mexico and South Korea in Group A; Ghana face Italy, Japan and Paraguay in Group B; Tunisia tackle Argentina, Australia and Serbia and Montenegro in Group C; and Morocco meet Costa Rica, Iraq and Portugal in Group D.
Group winners and runners-up qualify for the quarter-finals and Mali and Morocco appear to have the easier tasks while Tunisia confront star-studded Argentina and Ghana confront European Under-21 champions Italy. "
Read more at African gold diggers eyeing hat-trick as football kicks off today.
"Chinese women footballers are preparing for the opening match to be held against Germany, Zhang Haitao, head coach for the Chinese squad, said here Sunday.
Zhang said that his team, which arrived in Athens Friday, have undergone four training sessions in Patras, where the opening match is to be held."
Read more at Chinese women footballers preparing for opening match.
"Kim also played for South Korea's A team at the Asia Cup
South Korean footballer Kim Nam-il will miss the Olympics after breaking his leg in a warm-up match.
The 27-year-old midfielder was one of the three older players chosen to represent his country and will now be replaced by Chung Kyung-ho.
Kim broke his leg during a practice game in Paris where South Korea have been preparing for the Athens event."
Read more at Korean Kim out of Olympics
"Portugal have published medical evidence to prove that Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo is fit to take part in the Olympic football tournament.
Ronaldo was selected in Portugal's 18-man Olympic squad much to the anger of his club side as he will miss the start of their Premiership campaign.
United assistant boss Carlos Queiroz, who himself is Portuguese, had told newspaper A Bola that the call-up could exacerbate niggling injuries after his gruelling summer in Euro 2004.
The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) issued a statement on its website, saying: "The player Cristiano Ronaldo arrived at the training camp on August 1."
Read more at Ronaldo fit for Olympics.
"It sounds like the ideal combination when soccer and the Olympics meet.
But it doesn't work that way, at least in the men's competition. Soccer can't grab the spotlight away from athletics, swimming and gymnastics, which tend to dominate the games.
The Olympic performances of athletes such as Jesse Owens, Mark Spitz, Carl Lewis and Olga Korbut are etched in the minds of sports fans.
But how many recall Nwankwo Kanu's match-winning goals that earned Nigeria a historic gold medal at Atlanta in 1996?
The lanky star, who played a minor role in Arsenal's Premier League title triumph last season, scored a last minute equalizer after Nigeria had hit back from 3-1 down to Brazil and then hit the extra time winner to put his team in the final.
The Nigerians twice trailed Argentina in the final but captured the title with a winner in the final minute to become the first African team to win a gold medal.
It was a thrilling finale to a storybook triumph by the Nigerians. But it is buried low in the list of all-time Olympic performances.
"It was the greatest moment of my career," said Kanu, who also played for Ajax Amsterdam and Inter Milan.
"Not many of the stars I play against can say that they have won an Olympic gold medal."
The rules of the competition make sure of that."
Read more at FIFA restrictions and fear of burnout means Olympic soccer takes back seat.
The Olympic's may offiicaly open on friday night, but the sport get's started Wednesday night with the first fixtures in the Men's and Women's Football/Soccer competition, now i dont actually no alot about the Womens game so will be focusing on the Mens game primaraly. The main point i should make is that the Olympic Football Tournament is an under 23 years old tournament with the ability to choose 3 over age players.
In the following preview we look at these matches in group A, as Euro 2004 winners and Olympic host's Greece take on the last world cup over acheivers and host's South Korea and Mali ranked 46 in the world take on Mexico rated a suprise 8th.
Then in Group C the Argentinians with world famous players take on Serbia & Montenegro a team 40 places behind them in the ranking's the final game on Wednesday night see's African nations cup winners Tunisia take on Australia in an event that Australia might actually not win a medal in.
Continue for full preview.
Group A
Greece Vs South Korea
South Korea may be hoping that the Greek football team drop the olympic torch on the way to the opening ceremony in the hope that there luck has finally run out. Greece have just come back from Portugal where they pulled of the sporting shock of the year by winning the european championships and defeating Portugal twice and France on the way. Greece have never got past the first round of this tournament though to be fair they have only entered twice the last time being in 1952. Greece have the player of Euro 2004 missing in Theodoros Zagorakis but do have the home support which often does well and did South Korea enough favours to get them to the World Cup 2002 semi finals unfotunately since the departure of Guus Hiddink they have not really performed to there potential again but with Real Sociedad's Lee Chun-soo up front they should be able to score a few goals this tournament.
Prediction
Greece 2 - 1 South Korea
Key Man
Amanatidis - Greece
Mali Vs Mexico
This is Mali's first ever Olympic games and after the senior side got to the Semi finals of the African cup of Nation's the younger team are hoping to go one better and get a medal at this event, they have a top defence and Mad Diallo, Janvier Abouta and Dramane Traoré scored 10 goals between them in qualifying. Mexico on the other hand are flying high, ranked 8th in the world after getting knocked out of the last world cup by the USA they got the revenge on the way to the olympics knocking them out along the way when Rafael Marquez Lugo and Co knocked four goals past them.
Prediction
Mali 0 - 3 Mexico
Key Man
Rafael Marquez Lugo - Mexico
Argentina Vs Serbia & Montenegro
Argentina have already upset Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson before the games begin by calling up there new signing Gabriel Heinze, whether or not he show's is potential is yet to be seen. With players from Barcelona,Valencia and both Milan clubs they are strong contenders to go further than there previous best silver medal. Serbia and Montenegro have done pretty well previously as part of Yugoslavia, they appeared in the Games 10 times, finishing runners-up on three occasions (1948, 1952 and 1956) collecting a bronze medal in 1984 and a cherished Gold in 1960. As Serbia and Montengro they have not qualified for a games since soeul in 1988 they will definitley get a few goals and probably let a few more in.
Prediction
Argentina 4 - 2 Serbia & Montenegro
Key Man
Gabriel Heinze - Argentina
Tunisia Vs Australia
Tunisia conceded just 2 goals in 6 qualifying games making them one of the in form teams on the way into this tournament Up front the striking duo of Ali Zitouni and Saber Trabelsi both playing there club football in Tunisia provide the goals this is there fourth time at the Olympics and they will no doubt be hoping to break there duck of never winning a game. There record reads played 9, drew 3, lost 6. Australia have most of there major names missing from the competition partly due to age and partly due to not being allowed to go by there clubs one important person could be Craig Moore he goes into the Olympics having apparently sacrificed his career at Scottish club Rangers for the chance to represent Australia.The 28-year-old was transfer-listed and stripped of the Rangers captaincy after telling boss Alex McLeish that he was determined to represent his country at the Olympics.
Prediction
Tunisia 1 - 1 Australia
Key Man
Craig Moore - Australia
Korean Kim out of Olympics
"South Korean midfielder Kim Nam-il will miss the Olympics after breaking his leg in a warm-up match.
The 27-year-old was one of the three older players chosen to represent his country and will now be replaced by Chung Kyung-ho.
Kim broke his leg during a practice game in Paris where South Korea have been preparing for the Athens event."
"The star of the national team of Argentina, Javier SAVIOLA, said his side's target for the Athens Games was gold.
"Our target is to win the gold medal in the Olympic Tournament in Greece. This is the reason that we came here," he said.
"I do not know anything about the Olympic teams of Serbia and Montenegro and Tunisia. I have never seen them in a match. I believe that Australia has a very good team and they will take the second place for qualifying to the next round," he said."
Read more at Argentina wants the gold medal
"For Cheryl SALISBURY, captain of the women’s Olympic Football team of Australia, the Olympic Games is a great opportunity for her team to play up to their potential and prove to be among the great powers of women’s football.
The 30-year-old SALISBURY (AUS) has played in three World Cups and this is her second Olympic Games competition. After her team’s practice yesterday at the Kaftantzoglio stadium:
On personal as well as team goals for the Games:
"I hope to play the best I can and lay the team the best I can. As far as the team is concerned, we wish to be successful in every possible way, from playing up to our potential, to winning as many games as possible and have the best possible standings.""
Read more at Women : SALISBURY (AUS) says the focus is on Football
"The Fab Five of U.S. women's soccer are back for one last hurrah and a chance to make amends for failures of the last few years. And, just as importantly, they're back among friends.
Lilly, Chastain, Fawcett, Mia Hamm and Julie Foudy have been the team's nucleus since the late 1980s. They have celebrated at each other's weddings and grieved at parents' funerals. And they have become perhaps the most storied team in women's sports history.
Now in their early to mid-30s, they have come together again to try to capture the gold medal they couldn't win at the 2000 Sydney Games (silver) and the 2003 World Cup (bronze). And they have gathered to share yet another chapter in what they say will be a lifelong partnership.
"I love soccer and I love this team," Foudy said Thursday after a two-hour practice outside Athens. "But I think the reason we've all been around so long is because of the people we're doing it with.""
Read more at Fab Five of U.S. women's soccer back for one last hurrah.
"Mia Hamm scored one goal and set up two others as the United States women's soccer team beat China 3-1 in their final Olympics warm-up in East Hartford, Connecticut on Sunday.
Abby Wambach set up Hamm's goal and scored her own. Aly Wagner opened the scoring before a crowd of 15,093 at Rentschler Field.
The United States opened the scoring when Hamm flicked the ballto Wagner, who sent a left-footed shot into the net in the 14th minute.
Less than 20 minutes later, Wambach found a streaking Hamm, who scored from 12 meters for her 151st international goal."
Read more at US beat China 3-1 in women's Olympic soccer warm-up.
"Nobody going to the Athens Olympics has a sad story quite like Walter Herrmann's.
It's a horror story -- all of it true -- filled with death, grieving, resiliency and more death.
Not many people outside of Argentina and Spain have heard of Walter Herrmann, a 25-year-old, 6-foot-9 reserve forward for the South American country. He's one of only two changes to the team that won the silver medal at the 2002 World Basketball Championships -- in large part because of his ability to overcome tragedy.
On a sunny afternoon in July 2003, Herrmann lost the three most important women in his life: his fiancee, his mother and his younger sister. Exactly one year later, on a day Herrmann played one of his greatest games, his father died."
Continue reading Argentine player overcomes immeasurable grief on road to Athens.
"Chelsea's Tiago Mendes has been left out of Portugal's Olympic team because of a recurring groin problem.
"There was a worsening of an old injury which Tiago suffered," said Portugal team doctor Joao Resende.
"In order to recover he would need more preparation time, which we do not have. Given this situation, we decided to spare him."
Portugal's Olympic squad also includes Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo and Fulham's Luis Boa Morte.
Continue reading Tiago to miss Olympic event".
"There were no surprises and certainly no revelations, but for the United States women's national soccer team, a final competitive run before the Olympic Games was just what it needed.
The Americans made the most of their many chances Sunday against a porous Chinese side as they went out 3-1 winners in front of 15,093 at Rentschler Field — a day before they head to Greece in hopes of regaining gold-medal status.
"I'm really pleased, and I don't think we could have done any better," said U.S. coach April Heinrichs.
"We attacked with confidence, and defensively we had a back line where everyone contributed."
Fielding what is projected to be its starting lineup on Aug. 11, when the United States takes on Greece in its opening group match, the Americans rolled to 2-0 first-half lead with goals from Aly Wagner and Mia Hamm"
Continue reading U.S. women defeat China 3-1
"Heather O'Reilly may be the next Mia Hamm of the U.S. National women's soccer team, but for now the former East Brunswick, N.J., High School standout is coming off the bench to provide fresh legs when the veterans, including Hamm, need a rest.
O'Reilly had a pair of scoring chances after entering yesterday's 3-1 win over China at Rentschler Field here.
The game was the national team's final tuneup before the 10-team tournament at the Athens Summer Olympics. Rain gave way to a humid, 80-degree day yesterday, similar to the conditions the team will face in Greece, where the host country will their first oppoent, on August 11."
Continue reading O'Reilly, U.S. teammates ready to pursue Olympic gold.
"Australia’s Men’s Olympic Football preparations encountered a small speed bump with a 3-1 loss against Athens-bound Korean Republic in hot and humid conditions in South Korea tonight.
It was a disappointing loss for the Australians, who had looked impressive in racking up four successive victories since coming into camp, including a win over the Japanese Olympic Team in the countdown to Athens.
Australia trialled 1-0 at half time after conceding a goal in the 16th minute to Korean Republic striker Cho Jaejin and found themselves down 3-0 before Ahmad Elrich scored a late consolation goal for the visitors."
"New Everton signing Tim Cahill said the English Premier League club has supported his call-up to play football for Australia in the Athens Olympics next month.
Cahill said Everton's blessing was a major factor in convincing him to sign a four-year contract last week in a move from English Championship club Millwall.
The 24-year-old midfielder, who gained his first international cap in March, will play for Australia in Friday's Olympic warm-up match against South Korea .
"There was never a shadow of doubt (of playing in Greece)," Cahill said in a teleconference from England on Thursday.
"Whatever Premier League club, they've got to deal with it and be happy for you."
Read more at Yahoo! Sports - Olympics - Everton support Olympic call-up, says Cahill.
Mali have named an inexperienced 23-man squad for the country's first participation in the Olympics next month.
The likes of Frederic Kanoute, Mahamadou Diarra and Seydou Keita were expected to be selected as the over-age players allowed for the under-23 tournament.
However, the Malian Football Federation (FMF) proved unable to persuade any of its star names to play in the Olympics, which clashes with the start of the European club season.
Read more at Mali name Olympic squad
Mali's Football team is:
Goalkeepers:
Fousseyni Tangara (FC Mantois, France), Cheick Oumar Bathily (Djoliba AC), Soumaïla Diakite (Stade Malien)
Defenders:
Moussa Coulibaly, Boubacar Sidiki Kone (both AS Bamako), Abdou Traore, Drissa Diakite, Adama Tamboura (all Djoliba AC), Boucader Djidani Diallo (Stade Malien)
Midfielders:
Jimmy Boubou Kebe (Lens, France), Mohamed Lamine Sissoko (Valencia, Spain), Mamadou Diallo (USMA, Algeria), Abdoulaye Diawara (St-Truiden, Belgium), Mamadi Berthe (Sedan, France), Alain Claude Traore (Stade Malien), Oumar Andre Traore (Nianan Koulikoro), Mohamoud Fall (AS Bamako)
Forwards:
Dramane Traore (Ismaili, Egypt), Tenema N'Diaye (CS Sfaxien, Tunisia), Janvier Sedonoude Abouta (Djoliba AC), Rafan Sidibe (Stade Malien), Mintou Doucoure (Centre Salif Keïta)
Mali have named an inexperienced 23-man squad for the country's first participation in the Olympics next month.
The likes of Frederic Kanoute, Mahamadou Diarra and Seydou Keita were expected to be selected as the over-age players allowed for the under-23 tournament.
However, the Malian Football Federation (FMF) proved unable to persuade any of its star names to play in the Olympics, which clashes with the start of the European club season.
Read more at Mali name Olympic squad
Mali's Football team is:
Goalkeepers:
Fousseyni Tangara (FC Mantois, France), Cheick Oumar Bathily (Djoliba AC), Soumaïla Diakite (Stade Malien)
Defenders:
Moussa Coulibaly, Boubacar Sidiki Kone (both AS Bamako), Abdou Traore, Drissa Diakite, Adama Tamboura (all Djoliba AC), Boucader Djidani Diallo (Stade Malien)
Midfielders:
Jimmy Boubou Kebe (Lens, France), Mohamed Lamine Sissoko (Valencia, Spain), Mamadou Diallo (USMA, Algeria), Abdoulaye Diawara (St-Truiden, Belgium), Mamadi Berthe (Sedan, France), Alain Claude Traore (Stade Malien), Oumar Andre Traore (Nianan Koulikoro), Mohamoud Fall (AS Bamako)
Forwards:
Dramane Traore (Ismaili, Egypt), Tenema N'Diaye (CS Sfaxien, Tunisia), Janvier Sedonoude Abouta (Djoliba AC), Rafan Sidibe (Stade Malien), Mintou Doucoure (Centre Salif Keïta)
New Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho wants Tiago in London not Athens this Summer.
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho believes he can convince the Portuguese Football Federation (PFP) not to take £8m midfielder Tiago to the Olympics.
"I don't think the Olympic Games and the sub-23 national team is good for his career," said Mourinho.
Souce BBC Mourinho to make Tiago plea
"Whether Argentina finally wins Olympic gold in Athens will depend on how it rebounds from a Copa America it failed to win only on the scoreboard.
Coach Marcelo Bielsa took a risk in bringing 13 of his Olympic squad to Peru to finally end an 11-year drought without a major title. He started eight of them in the final and despite dominating play, they couldn't disarm Brazil's individual brilliance and conceded tying goals at the end of both halves, eventually losing a penalty shootout 4-2.
In the aftermath, Argentina's players regarded themselves as unlucky, and appeared far from devastated, which puts them in the right frame of mind for Athens, where Brazil will be absent. But the Copa campaign raised a question mark over how much gas Argentina has left in the tank as it moves from Peru's cool to Athens' heat with only a two-week break."
Read more at FOXSports.com - Argentina head to Athens aiming to make up for final loss.
"The Portuguese Football Federation has turned down a request by Chelsea to exclude their new signing Tiago Mendes from Portugal's squad for next month's Olympic Games.
"We can't spare players who in the opinion of the national coach are important to the national squad," federation president Gilberto Madail told daily newspaper 24Horas.
Portugal's Olympic squad, which also includes Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo and Fulham's Luis Boa Morte, are scheduled to meet up on August 1, before flying to Greece a week later.
The English-based players could miss two weeks of the Premiership season if Portugal manage to reach the Olympic soccer final on Aug 28.
Portugal are in Group D along with Costa Rica, Iraq and Morocco."
Read more at Soccer - Portugal rejects Chelsea request to spare Tiago from Games.
Morocco coach Mustapha Madih has named his squad for the Athens 2004 Olympic Games football tournament. 18 players will fly to Athens with the team and another 4 will remain on hold in Morocco.
The Moroccan Olympic Football Team is as follows:
Morocco's Olympic squad:
Goalkeepers:
Nadir Lemyaghri (Wydad Casablanca), Omar Cherif (Mouloudia Oujda)
Defenders:
Sami Tajeddine and Rbati Amine (both Raja Casablanca), Jamal Alioui (Perugia, Italy), Mouncif Zerka (Nancy, France), Azzdine Orahou (Istres, France)
Midfielders:
Otmane El-Assas (Al-Ittihad, Qatar), Yazid Kaissi (Lens, France), Oussama Souidi (Mallorca, Spain), Badr El Kadouri (Dynamo Kiev, Ukraine), Marouane Zamama (Raja), Mehdi Taouil (Nurenberg, Germany)
Strikers:
Farid Talhaoui (Guingamp, France), Salheddine Akkal (Olympic Khouribga), Bouabid Bouden (Lens, France), Mustapha Alaoui (Maghreb A Sportive), Moubarki Bouchaib (Al-Wassl, Emirates)
Reserves:
Goalkeeper: Youssef Boutarbouch( Raja)
Defender: Abdelwahid Abdessamad (Raja)
Midfielder: Younes Zarouk (Wydad)
Striker: Jawad Akkadar (Olympic Khouribga)
"SUBSTITUTE striker Brett Holman netted the sole goal to give Australia victory over Japan in their preparation match for Athens.
The decisive goal came only 11 minutes after Holman replaced Ahmad Elrich in the 68th minute. He had a earlier attempt on the Japanese goal after beating three defenders to fire a close-range shot, which hit keeper Takaya Kurokawa to go out." Read more at FOX SPORTS | Holman hits Olyroos winner .
Christiano Ronaldo has decided to play for Portugal in the 2004 Athens Olympics, meaning he will miss the start of the Premier League campaign for his club Manchester United, this is a move sure to upset Sir Alex Ferguson.
Ferguson has warned Ronaldo and Gabriel Heinze, the club’s new Argentina defender, that they could be jeopardising their careers at Old Trafford by playing in the under-23 tournament, but Ronaldo has declared that he firmly intends to travel to Athens
Athens call too tough for Ronaldo to resist Source Times
Tunisia have named their 22-man squad for the Olympic Games football tournament as follows:
Goalkeepers:
Khaled Fadhel (CS Sfaxien), Jasem Khalfaoui (A.S. Marsa), Hamdi Kasraoui (Esperance Tunis)
Defenders:
Anis Boussaidi, Anis Ayari (both Stade Tunisien), Amir Haj Messoud, Issam Merdassi (all C.S. Sfaxien), Fethi Mechergui, Zied Bhairi (both Esperance Tunis), Karim Hagui (Strasbourg, France), Aleddine Yahia (Guingamp, France)
Midfielders:
Khaled Mouelhi, Wissem Ben Yahia (all Club Africain), Jose Clayton (Esperance Tunis), Majdi Traoui (Etoile du Sahel), Houcine Regueb (Paris-Saint Germain, France)
Attackers:
Mohamed Jedidi, Sabeur Trabelsi (both Etoile du Sahel), Haykel Guemamdia (C.S. Sfaxien), Amine Letifi (Creteil, France), Ali Zitouni, Issam Jomaa (both Esperance Tunis)
Source - BBC Tunisia name Olympic squad
"Marit Christensen and Trine Ronning scored two goals each Saturday as Norway beat Women's World Cup runner-up Sweden 4-0 in an Olympic tuneup match.
Sweden, which was missing two key defenders, is one of the favorites for gold in Athens along with the United States and World Cup champion Germany. Norway, which beat the United States 3-2 on a golden goal in the 2000 Olympic final, failed to qualify for the Athens Games." - Source - Norway tops Women's World Cup runner-up Sweden 4-0 in Olympic tuneup
"Marit Christensen and Trine Ronning scored two goals each Saturday as Norway beat Women's World Cup runner-up Sweden 4-0 in an Olympic tuneup match.
Sweden, which was missing two key defenders, is one of the favorites for gold in Athens along with the United States and World Cup champion Germany. Norway, which beat the United States 3-2 on a golden goal in the 2000 Olympic final, failed to qualify for the Athens Games." - Source - Norway tops Women's World Cup runner-up Sweden 4-0 in Olympic tuneup
Despite Manchester United's manager's best efforts, 19-year-old winger Ronaldo has been named in Portugal's squad for the Olympics and Heinze, the £7 million defender signed from Paris Saint-Germain, is needed in Athens by Argentina.
"Chinese women's football team, the 1996 Atlanta Olympic silver medalist who failed to squeeze into the semi-finals at the 2000 Sydney Games, are eyeing a medal at the coming Athens Games.
"Although it's a difficult job, our squad will try their best to win a medal and regain the glory of the yesteryears," Xue Li, vice president of the Chinese Football Association said here Wednesday.
Xue said, "Our baseline is set on the semi-finals, and win a medal if we are lucky enough."
The Chinese team won its ticket for Athens after all-victory matches in Japan where they emerged as Asia's No.1 for the Athens Olympic games, conceding no goals throughout the qualifying tournaments." Source - Offcial Website of the Chinaese Olympic Committee
'Mia Hamm has a knack for scoring timely goals. Her latest unloaded a burden just in time for the Olympics.
Hamm scored her 150th career goal on Wednesday as the United States defeated Australia 3-1 in a pre-Olympic warmup before a sellout crowd of 10,276 at the National Sports Center.
"It meant a lot," Hamm said of scoring No. 150 before next month's Olympic Games. "Now I don't have to worry about it or answer any of those questions in Athens. I can get that off my shoulders and focus on what I need to do and the team needs to do to be successful at the Olympics."' Read more at Hamm's 150th goal rallies U.S. past Australia.
China's women's football team are eying off the Gold medal at the Athens Olympics.
' "Although it's a difficult job, our squad will try their best to win a medal and regain the glory of the yesteryears," Xue Li, vice president of the Chinese Football Association said here Wednesday.
Xue said, "Our baseline is set on the semi-finals, and win a medal if we are lucky enough."
The Chinese team won its ticket for Athens after all-victory matches in Japan where they emerged as Asia's No.1 for the Athens Olympic games, conceding no goals throughout the qualifying tournaments.
The qualifying matches in April was "encouraging", Xue said, but this is by no means to say that the Chinese team has come back with the power and confidence it possessed years ago when it had such veterans as Sun Qingmei and Sun Wen, who were awarded FIFA's "Miss Football of the World" respectively in 1991 and 1999.' Source - Chinese women footballers eye Olympic medal
Athens Soccer Stadium Officials may need to rethink one or two aspects of the design of their new venue.
The Japanese Olympic Women's Soccer team will be lead by top goalscorer Homare Sawa.
'The former US Atlanta Beat striker, who also represented Japan in the 1996 Olympics as well as the World Cup in 1995, 1999 and last year, has bagged a total of 52 goals in 85 games.
Sixteen of the 18 players went to the women's World Cup in America last year, with five of them, including goalkeeper Nozomi Yamago, defender Hiromi Isozaki, midfielders Tomoe Sakai, Tomomi Miyamoto and Yayoi Kobayashi, also playing the cup in 1999, also held in the United States.
Forward Mio Otani, who played for the national team for the first time in a friendly against Australia in May 2000, is Japan's fourth top goalscorer with 30 goals in 44 games, while Kobayashi has scored 12 goals in 49 games to be 12th.
Japan's coach Eiji Ueda said he had been watching videos of the teams his squad would face in preliminary group E in Athens.' Read more at Sawa to spearhead Japanese Olympic team
After Greece's win in the European Football Championships one would expect that Soccer will be rather popular across the nation. This is true but it seems that it's only men's soccer that has been a passion for Greek football enthusiasts. This could be about to change with the introduction of the first Greek women's football team which has been announced in the lead up to the Athens Olympics.
'"It is a good opportunity. If we are good surely things will be different. Soccer will be professional and sponsors will get involved," said 21-year-old Angeliki Lagoumtzi, a defender on the team from the northern town of Kavala.
Getting the women's team together was not easy, even if Greece got in as host country allowing its female squad to take part in the Aug. 13-29 games without qualifying.
There is not much of an amateur league and Greek officials had to scour the country and among Greek diaspora communities for talent.
They eventually signed up 13 women from Greece and another nine of Greek descent from the United States.'
'Midfield star Shinji Ono, who plays for Dutch club Feyenoord, has been chosen to spearhead Japan's Olympic challenge at the Athens Games next month, the Japan Football Association announced yesterday.
Ono, 24, is one of the three over-age players chosen in the mostly Under-23 squad. The others are SV Hamburg striker Naohiro Takahara and goalkeeper Hitoshi Sogahata of the Kashima Antlers. 'Source - Midfielder Ono to head Japan’s assault at the Olympics
The Japanese Football Team that has been named is:
Goalkeepers: Hitoshi Sogahata (Kashima Antlers), Takaya Kurokawa (Shimizu S-Pulse), Fumiya Iwamaru (Vissel Kobe), Takuto Hayashi (Sanfrecce Hiroshima), Eiji Kawashima (Nagoya Grampus Eight)
Defenders: Marcus Tulio Tanaka (Urawa Red Diamonds), Teruyuki Moniwa (FC Tokyo), Kunie Kitamoto (Kobe), Daisuke Nasu (Yokohama Marinos), Yuhei Tokunaga (Waseda Univ), Naoya Kikuchi (Jubilo Iwata)
Midfielders: Shinji Ono (Feyenoord/Ned), Kazuyuki Morisaki (Hiroshima), Koji Morisaki (Hiroshima), Daisuke Matsui (Kyoto Purple Sanga), Naohiro Ishikawa (Tokyo), Keita Suzuki (Urawa), Yuichi Nemoto (Oita Trinita), Yuichi Komano (Hiroshima), Yuki Abe (JEF United Ichihara), Koji Yamase (Urawa), Ryoichi Maeda (Iwata), Hayuma Tanaka (Yokohama), Yasuyuki Konno (Tokyo)
'GERMAN manager Bernd Stange has stepped down as coach of Iraq's national soccer team, saying yesterday he feared his safety would be undermined by insurgents in unstable post-war Iraq.
"I was a powerful leader for Iraqi football, but it's dangerous for me to be there," Bernd Stange said from his home in Germany, where he plans to settle down before taking up another coaching job.' Source - Fearful Iraq coach steps down
Football at the Athens Olympics begins two days before the opening ceremony on the 11th of August and progresses almost to the end of the Olympics on the 28th August. Football competition will take place at a number of stadiums around Greece in the cities of Athens, Volos, Heraklio, Thessaloniki, Patras.
One Gold Medal is up for grabs for Men and another for Women. Click of the following links for all the latest Football Results and Medals - live as they happen:
- Men's Football
- Women's Football
Keep up to date with the latest Olympics Football/Soccer news at our Football News Archives.
This year's Men's competition is wide open with Cameroon (Sydney's Gold Medal winner) and Brazil not qualifying. Korea could be a chance.
In the Women's competition the US and China are tipped to compete with previous Gold Medal winner, Norway and could feature in the Medals.
Soccer Drills and Practice Plans
Group B
Paraguay
Japan
Ghana
Italy
Group C
Argentina
Serbia-Montenegro
Tunisia
Australia
Group D
Costa Rica
Morocco
Iraq
Portugal
Women's Olympic football tournament
Group A
Sweden
Japan
Nigeria
Group B
Germany
China
Mexico
Group C
Greece
USA
Brazil
Australia
None of the top four men's teams from 2000, including gold medalist Cameroon and the fourth-place U.S. team, qualified. Four-time world under-20 champion Argentina is left as the favorite in the 16-team field, although the Olympic tournament is tough to gauge because rules restrict teams to players under 23, with three exemptions. 2003 World Cup winner Germany and the United States are favorites in women's event; defending champion Norway failed to qualify. Women's tournament consists of 10 teams split unevenly into three groups. Greece, as the host nation, earned an automatic bid to both fields.
