Men’s Olympic Preview
NEW YORK, NY (Aug 5, 2008) -- Once the Men’s Olympic soccer tournament begins Wednesday, does anyone doubt that Argentina, gold medal winners four years ago in Athens, can repeat as Olympic champions in Beijing?
The tournament may be a U-23 competition (with each team allowed to bring three overage players), but that doesn’t mean the talent pool is shallow. With players such as midfielders Nicolas Burdisso and Javier Mascherano and strikers Sergio Aguero, Juan Roman Riquelme and Lionel Messi, Argentina is the team to beat.
The lead-up to the tournament has been tinged with controversy. Several European clubs said they would not release players for the Olympics. Last week, FIFA ruled that clubs must allow players 23 or under to play, clearing the path for Messi despite opposition from Barcelona.
Argentina isn’t the only powerhouse from South America to boast plenty of talented youth players. The continent’s other representative, Brazil, may never have won an Olympic gold medal but that doesn’t mean they can’t make history. With Ronaldinho partnering up with Real Madrid midfielder Robinho and AC Milan midfielder Alexandre Pato, the Olympic team looks more like the senior national squad.
The United States is hoping to add a first-ever Olympic medal to build on the success of a fourth place finish at the 2000 Games in Sydney.
Here is a breakdown of the 16-team field:
Group A
Argentina is the runaway favorites to not only win the group, but take a second consecutive gold medal. The roster is loaded with players who ply their trade in Europe’s best leagues and the bulk of the U-23 roster is made up of players who helped Argentina win the U-20 World Cup last year.
The most likely challenge for second place in the group will come from either Serbia or the Ivory Coast, both of whom were in Argentina's 2006 World Cup group.
Both teams include a few names that will be familiar to fans of the English Premiership. For Serbia, Chelsea midfielder Branislav Ivanovic will lead the charge after a successful U-21 European Championship last year, where they finished in second place. The Ivorians are spearheaded by striker Salomon Kalou, also a Chelsea star, and could follow in the footsteps of other African teams at youth tournaments such as Cameroon, who were crowned Olympic champions in 2000 and Nigeria, who at the 1996 Olympic Games became the first African nation to win a gold medal.
In what is one of the toughest groups, it seems very unlikely that Australia can even secure a point from its three games.
Prediction: Argentina and Serbia advance
Group B
Following a U-21 European Championship where they were heaped with praise for their attractive attacking soccer, The Netherlands, renowned for their youth system and budding talent, are the strongest team in this group. West Brom’s new defender Gianni Zuiverloon and midfielder Royston Drenthe are the focal points on this technically brilliant squad.
As far as the other group contenders go, it appears pretty even between the USA, Japan and Nigeria.
The Nigerians have an experienced squad, while Japan needs to secure points early on to ensure itself of a berth. The attack -- made up of Everton’s Victor Anichebe and Chievo Verona’s Obinna Nsofor – are one of the most potent, but the defense may be a bit shaky against tougher opponents.
Japan, on the other hand, has a tough defense (conceding only two goals in six games during qualifiers), but a weak offense.
It’s the US that is likely to emerge as the second place team in this group given its experienced defense and offense. Under coach Peter Nowak, the Americans head to the Far East with an impressive roster of youth players. Led by Freddy Adu, who is only 19, the US will take on Japan (Aug. 7), The Netherlands (Aug. 10) and Nigeria (Aug. 13) with a supporting cast that includes Villareal striker Jozy Altidore and Brescia midfielder Danny Szetela.
The team’s three overage players include 36-year-old striker Brian McBride, the only player for the US to have scored at two different World Cups, joined by New England Revolution defender Michael Parkhurst and goalkeeper Brad Guzan.
Prediction: The Netherlands and US advance
Group C
China may be bracing itself for a massive medal haul, but don’t expect them to excel at soccer. As hosts, they will have the crowd support if little else.
The favorite to win the group is Brazil. The big name on the team is AC Milan’s newest star, Ronaldinho, who is expected to bring his ball juggling displays and potent shot to the team.
The Belgians are also odds-on favorites to get out of the group and a feature a roster that includes Hamburger SV defender Vincent Kompany.
New Zealand, Oceania’s lone representative, does not have the quality or experience on its side.
Prediction: Brazil and Belgium advance
Group D
Italy, who won the Olympic gold medal at the 1936 Berlin Games and the silver medal four years ago, is favored to win the group. Coached by former Juventus and Italy star Pierluigi Casiraghi, the team includes just one player over the age of 23 and is banking on the promising young prospects to make good. Riccardo Montolivo, Robert Acquafresca, Sebastian Giovinco and New Jersey-native Giuseppe Rossi spearhead the attack.
The battle for second place is more than likely to come down to the clash between Cameroon and South Korea. The Indomitable Lions will be led by Barcelona striker Samuel Eto’o, while South Korea, who is without midfielders Park Ji-Sung and Kim Do-Heon, will have to hope they are physically fit enough.
Honduras, the other team to emerge from CONCACAF qualifying, can prove to be a tricky side, but not enough to mount any real challenge.
Prediction: Italy and Cameroon advance
USSoccerPlayers
Buy on AliExpress.com
would be nice to link up
