GROUP A
Argentina
Argentina tries to become the first team since Hungary in 1964 and 1968 to win back-to-back gold medals. Due to the age restrictions, it is impossible to bring back an entire 2004 team (unless they were 18-year-olds in Athens four years ago). Yet, the Argentineans bring in another talented side that includes the great Lionel Messi, who had been in the middle of a tug-of-war between the national side and Barcelona before FIFA ruled that all teams must give up their Olympic players. Argentina is far from a one-man show. The South Americans boast a pair of World Cup veterans in the midfield -- Javier Mascherano and Juan Roman Riquelme (midfielder). If those two play to their potential and if Messi can come close to the performance of Carlos Tevez (tournament-best eight goals) four years ago, the Argentineans could be on the podium once again.
Serbia
After Montenegro seceded from the country two years ago, it's now known as simply Serbia. Given its performance at Athens 2004, the Serbians hope not to repeat a 0-3-0 finish, scoring three times and surrendering 14 goals. The Serbians reached the Euro U-21 final, but were trounced 4-1 by the Dutch. One thing is certain: Serbia has shown great fitness. At the U-21 tournament, the team scored four of its five goals after the 62nd minute. Defender Aleksandar Kolarov, midfielder Stefan Babovic and forward Zoran Tosic are expected to lead the way. A generation ago when the team was known as Yugoslavia, the side earned the bronze medal at the 1984 Summer Games in Los Angeles.
Ivory Coast
Also known as Côte d'Ivoire, Ivory Coast makes its Olympic debut. The team showed great resilience in African qualifying. After going down to a 2-0 defeat to Zambia in its first qualifier, Ivory Coast rebounded by running the table in their remaining matches. Forwards Gervais Yao Kouassi, also known as Gervinho, and Salomon Kalou (Chelsea) will be the keys to the Ivory Coast's success.
Australia
After years participating in Oceania qualifiers, Australia tried its luck in Asia and almost found itself on the outside looking in. But the Aussies managed to clinch a spot in Beijing as they tied North Korea 1-1 on a late goal by central defender and team captain Mark Milligan. Whether that has toughed up Australia to finish second to the defending Olympic champions remains to be seen. Over-age forward Mark Bridge could be a factor. The Aussies could be hurt by players who aren't at the Games as coach Graham Arnold make a number of glaring omissions. Australia has experienced a rollercoaster ride in the Summer Games, having finished a surprising fourth in 1992, but couldn't win a game as hosts in 2000.
GROUP B
Netherlands
The European Under-21 champions, the Dutch are considered the best side in the group with a deep talent pool. If there is a concern, it's the team fitness. They also will be without forward Maceo Rigters (four goals in the tournament), but they will have forward Roy Makaay as one of their overage players. They also will have defender/left wing Royston Drenthe (Real Madrid), player of the Euro U-21 tournament, midfielder Hedwiges Maduro (Valencia), a member of the Dutch side at the 2006 World Cup and and midfielder Ryan Babel (Liverpool), who has recovered from an ankle injury that kept him out of Euro 2008. The Dutch are making their first Olympic soccer appearance in 56 years. When they've reached the tournament, their story should be bronzed as in the bronze medals they earned at the 1908, 1912 and 1920 Summer Games.
Nigeria
When Nigeria coach Samson Siasia Nigeria selected full internationals Osaze Odemwingie, Vincent Enyeama and Ikechukwu Uche as the team's three overage players, some skeptics might thought that the Nigerians have more overage players on its team, given allegations and suspicions at other age-related tournaments (U-17 and U-20 World Cups) that have not been substantiated. Siasia has several key players from the U-20 team that finished second to Argentina (and Messi) at the 2005 FIFA world championships. In fact, you might say that the Nigerians show a lot of Promise in more ways than one in defender Promise Isaac. Columbus Crew midfielder Emmanuel Ekpo might be in a position to play a vital role for the African side.
United States
The USA will be competitive. But will they be good enough to duplicate their performance in 2000, in which they won their group and finished fourth although no one really gave them a chance? Or will they revert back to their former selves and just manage to miss out on the quarterfinals. Freddy Adu, Brian McBride, Jozy Altidore, Michael Bradley, Michael Parkhurst and Brad Guzan will try for the former over the latter.
Japan
The Japanese seemed to be a bit snake-bit before a ball has been kicked in the tournament. It seemed that every time they were ready to name an overage player to the team, an injury would occur. So, it was decided not to have any over-23 players, which could haunt them. Still, they are a highly technical side that has high expectations of themselves. The best of the bunch includes defender Atsuto Uchida, who anchors a solid backline, midfielder Keisuke Honda and forward Tadanori Lee. One definite player to watch is goalkeeper Shusaku Nishikawa, nicknamed the "Japanese Chilavert," after the colorful former Paraguayan goalkeeper. Nishikawa has scored off free kicks in and around the opponent's penalty area. Bronze medalists at the 1968 Mexico City Games, Japan has qualified for four consecutive Olympics, although it has failed to get past the quarterfinals.
GROUP C
Brazil
It's difficult to fathom that Brazil has never won an Olympic gold medal, having a silver lining on its resume in 1984 and 1988 and a bronze medal in 1996. Perhaps this tournament will be the Brazilians' charm. Coach Dunga, the midfield general of the Brazilians' world championship team at USA '94, has let it known that his team is going after the big prize. "Many people think the Olympics are not as important to us as the World Cup, as we have five of those already," he told FIFA.com "But we're Brazil, and every time we take to the pitch, we do so to win. We want to claim our country's first gold medal [in soccer]." Ronaldinho, a bust at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, will lead the midfield (he was on the 2000 Brazilian team that lost to eventual gold-medalist Cameroon in the quarterfinals), and should have some help from his friends, including promising midfielders Alexandre Pato and Lucas and defender Marcelo. Ronaldinho and Pato, incidentally, put on a show in a 2-0 Olympic win against Vietnam Friday.
Belgium
Belgium, which earned the gold medal at the 1920 Games in Brussels, ended an amazing 80-year Olympics drought by qualifying. Some 11 players from this Belgium side were called into the friendly against Morocco in March. The Belgians were embarrassed at home 4-1, prompting serious concerns on whether this generation of players can withstand pressure at the highest levels. Olympic coach Jean-Francois De Sart will get an opportunity to see the team take even more pressure in China. The Belgians' strength appears to be their defense and midfield. Defenders Vincent Kompany, whose club team, Hamburg, finally relented, and released him for the Games, and Jan Vertonghen have stood out on the backline while Marouane Fellaini and Maarten Martens are the main men at midfield.
China
In the Olympics, there isn't necessarily something as a home-team advantage. The last time the home side got out of the first round in one piece was Spain (1992), which earned the silver medal in an epic clash with Poland that year. So, the Chinese could have their work cut out for themselves, especially since Yin Tiesheng took over as executive coach for Ratomir Duikovic, who was retained on the staff, barely three weeks prior to the tournament. Captain and midfielder Zheng Zhi (Charlton Athletic) is regarded as the team's best player in many circles.
New Zealand
New Zealand can thank Australia for bolting to Asia to make its route to Beijing that much easier. Debutantes in the Olympic soccer tournament usually don't fare well, so not much is expected of the Oceania country from the weakest of all confederations. The core of the team comes from the Australian A-League, including defender Steven Old (Wellington Phoenix) and forward Jeremy Brockie (former with Sydney FC). MLS fans will be familiar with two players -- former D.C. United all-star Ryan Nelsen, the key to the defense, and one-time L.A. Galaxy and Columbus Crew midfielder Simon Elliott.
GROUP D
Italy
Not surprisingly, the Italians will be leaning on a solid defense to get them a third one behind the likes of Domenico Criscito and Lorenzo De Silvestri. Giuseppe Rossi, the Clifton, N.J-born midfielder who decided to play for Italy over the U.S., Robert Acquafresca (11 goals for Cagliari last season) and Tommaso Rocchi (59 career goals for Lazio) are expected to add some spice to the attack. One player to watch: 5-5 attacking midfielder Sebastian Giovinco, who has the vision, skills and the free kick touch to do a lot of damage. He did so in the U.S. in the Toulon tournament in May, setting up the first goal of a 2-0 Italian win. A four-time World Cup winner (including the 2006 title), Italy's only Olympic gold was won at the Berlin Games in 1936 during the country's first great international golden age.
Cameroon
Cameroon, the 2000 gold medalists, certainly can't be counted out, although sometimes it is difficult to measure how dangerous African teams will be prior to major tournaments. Known as the Lion Cubs, Cameroon's strength is its attack through its midfield as Stephane Mbia and Alexandre Song (Arsenal) have played for the senior side. The team, however, took a hit when midfielder Landry Nguemo (Nancy, France) had to withdraw from the team due to an illness.
Honduras
Honduras twice has qualified for the Summer Games, both times besting the U.S. on home soil in the CONCACAF qualifying final. The Central American side did it again with a 1-0 victory in Nashville, Tenn. Ironically, the man who propelled the Hondurans to the top with his extra-time goal, Georgie Wilson Welcome (an MLS discovery selection by the New England Revolution who hasn't signed with the team), has not been included on the team. They still hope to make an impact in what could be a difficult group behind the likes of central defender Hendry Thomas and overage forward Carlos Pavon.
South Korea The Koreans played in three scoreless ties as they qualified for sixth consecutive Olympics and the former figure doesn't portend good things for the Summer Games, which the competition will be must more difficult. They scored only four goals en route to three qualifying matches. New coach Park Sung-Wha's goal is to find some offense up the middle of the field. The Koreans are hoping to be buoyed by midfielders Park Chu-Young and Baek Ji-Hong.
Argentina
Argentina tries to become the first team since Hungary in 1964 and 1968 to win back-to-back gold medals. Due to the age restrictions, it is impossible to bring back an entire 2004 team (unless they were 18-year-olds in Athens four years ago). Yet, the Argentineans bring in another talented side that includes the great Lionel Messi, who had been in the middle of a tug-of-war between the national side and Barcelona before FIFA ruled that all teams must give up their Olympic players. Argentina is far from a one-man show. The South Americans boast a pair of World Cup veterans in the midfield -- Javier Mascherano and Juan Roman Riquelme (midfielder). If those two play to their potential and if Messi can come close to the performance of Carlos Tevez (tournament-best eight goals) four years ago, the Argentineans could be on the podium once again.
Serbia
After Montenegro seceded from the country two years ago, it's now known as simply Serbia. Given its performance at Athens 2004, the Serbians hope not to repeat a 0-3-0 finish, scoring three times and surrendering 14 goals. The Serbians reached the Euro U-21 final, but were trounced 4-1 by the Dutch. One thing is certain: Serbia has shown great fitness. At the U-21 tournament, the team scored four of its five goals after the 62nd minute. Defender Aleksandar Kolarov, midfielder Stefan Babovic and forward Zoran Tosic are expected to lead the way. A generation ago when the team was known as Yugoslavia, the side earned the bronze medal at the 1984 Summer Games in Los Angeles.
Ivory Coast
Also known as Côte d'Ivoire, Ivory Coast makes its Olympic debut. The team showed great resilience in African qualifying. After going down to a 2-0 defeat to Zambia in its first qualifier, Ivory Coast rebounded by running the table in their remaining matches. Forwards Gervais Yao Kouassi, also known as Gervinho, and Salomon Kalou (Chelsea) will be the keys to the Ivory Coast's success.
Australia
After years participating in Oceania qualifiers, Australia tried its luck in Asia and almost found itself on the outside looking in. But the Aussies managed to clinch a spot in Beijing as they tied North Korea 1-1 on a late goal by central defender and team captain Mark Milligan. Whether that has toughed up Australia to finish second to the defending Olympic champions remains to be seen. Over-age forward Mark Bridge could be a factor. The Aussies could be hurt by players who aren't at the Games as coach Graham Arnold make a number of glaring omissions. Australia has experienced a rollercoaster ride in the Summer Games, having finished a surprising fourth in 1992, but couldn't win a game as hosts in 2000.
GROUP B
Netherlands
The European Under-21 champions, the Dutch are considered the best side in the group with a deep talent pool. If there is a concern, it's the team fitness. They also will be without forward Maceo Rigters (four goals in the tournament), but they will have forward Roy Makaay as one of their overage players. They also will have defender/left wing Royston Drenthe (Real Madrid), player of the Euro U-21 tournament, midfielder Hedwiges Maduro (Valencia), a member of the Dutch side at the 2006 World Cup and and midfielder Ryan Babel (Liverpool), who has recovered from an ankle injury that kept him out of Euro 2008. The Dutch are making their first Olympic soccer appearance in 56 years. When they've reached the tournament, their story should be bronzed as in the bronze medals they earned at the 1908, 1912 and 1920 Summer Games.
Nigeria
When Nigeria coach Samson Siasia Nigeria selected full internationals Osaze Odemwingie, Vincent Enyeama and Ikechukwu Uche as the team's three overage players, some skeptics might thought that the Nigerians have more overage players on its team, given allegations and suspicions at other age-related tournaments (U-17 and U-20 World Cups) that have not been substantiated. Siasia has several key players from the U-20 team that finished second to Argentina (and Messi) at the 2005 FIFA world championships. In fact, you might say that the Nigerians show a lot of Promise in more ways than one in defender Promise Isaac. Columbus Crew midfielder Emmanuel Ekpo might be in a position to play a vital role for the African side.
United States
The USA will be competitive. But will they be good enough to duplicate their performance in 2000, in which they won their group and finished fourth although no one really gave them a chance? Or will they revert back to their former selves and just manage to miss out on the quarterfinals. Freddy Adu, Brian McBride, Jozy Altidore, Michael Bradley, Michael Parkhurst and Brad Guzan will try for the former over the latter.
Japan
The Japanese seemed to be a bit snake-bit before a ball has been kicked in the tournament. It seemed that every time they were ready to name an overage player to the team, an injury would occur. So, it was decided not to have any over-23 players, which could haunt them. Still, they are a highly technical side that has high expectations of themselves. The best of the bunch includes defender Atsuto Uchida, who anchors a solid backline, midfielder Keisuke Honda and forward Tadanori Lee. One definite player to watch is goalkeeper Shusaku Nishikawa, nicknamed the "Japanese Chilavert," after the colorful former Paraguayan goalkeeper. Nishikawa has scored off free kicks in and around the opponent's penalty area. Bronze medalists at the 1968 Mexico City Games, Japan has qualified for four consecutive Olympics, although it has failed to get past the quarterfinals.
GROUP C
Brazil
It's difficult to fathom that Brazil has never won an Olympic gold medal, having a silver lining on its resume in 1984 and 1988 and a bronze medal in 1996. Perhaps this tournament will be the Brazilians' charm. Coach Dunga, the midfield general of the Brazilians' world championship team at USA '94, has let it known that his team is going after the big prize. "Many people think the Olympics are not as important to us as the World Cup, as we have five of those already," he told FIFA.com "But we're Brazil, and every time we take to the pitch, we do so to win. We want to claim our country's first gold medal [in soccer]." Ronaldinho, a bust at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, will lead the midfield (he was on the 2000 Brazilian team that lost to eventual gold-medalist Cameroon in the quarterfinals), and should have some help from his friends, including promising midfielders Alexandre Pato and Lucas and defender Marcelo. Ronaldinho and Pato, incidentally, put on a show in a 2-0 Olympic win against Vietnam Friday.
Belgium
Belgium, which earned the gold medal at the 1920 Games in Brussels, ended an amazing 80-year Olympics drought by qualifying. Some 11 players from this Belgium side were called into the friendly against Morocco in March. The Belgians were embarrassed at home 4-1, prompting serious concerns on whether this generation of players can withstand pressure at the highest levels. Olympic coach Jean-Francois De Sart will get an opportunity to see the team take even more pressure in China. The Belgians' strength appears to be their defense and midfield. Defenders Vincent Kompany, whose club team, Hamburg, finally relented, and released him for the Games, and Jan Vertonghen have stood out on the backline while Marouane Fellaini and Maarten Martens are the main men at midfield.
China
In the Olympics, there isn't necessarily something as a home-team advantage. The last time the home side got out of the first round in one piece was Spain (1992), which earned the silver medal in an epic clash with Poland that year. So, the Chinese could have their work cut out for themselves, especially since Yin Tiesheng took over as executive coach for Ratomir Duikovic, who was retained on the staff, barely three weeks prior to the tournament. Captain and midfielder Zheng Zhi (Charlton Athletic) is regarded as the team's best player in many circles.
New Zealand
New Zealand can thank Australia for bolting to Asia to make its route to Beijing that much easier. Debutantes in the Olympic soccer tournament usually don't fare well, so not much is expected of the Oceania country from the weakest of all confederations. The core of the team comes from the Australian A-League, including defender Steven Old (Wellington Phoenix) and forward Jeremy Brockie (former with Sydney FC). MLS fans will be familiar with two players -- former D.C. United all-star Ryan Nelsen, the key to the defense, and one-time L.A. Galaxy and Columbus Crew midfielder Simon Elliott.
GROUP D
Italy
Not surprisingly, the Italians will be leaning on a solid defense to get them a third one behind the likes of Domenico Criscito and Lorenzo De Silvestri. Giuseppe Rossi, the Clifton, N.J-born midfielder who decided to play for Italy over the U.S., Robert Acquafresca (11 goals for Cagliari last season) and Tommaso Rocchi (59 career goals for Lazio) are expected to add some spice to the attack. One player to watch: 5-5 attacking midfielder Sebastian Giovinco, who has the vision, skills and the free kick touch to do a lot of damage. He did so in the U.S. in the Toulon tournament in May, setting up the first goal of a 2-0 Italian win. A four-time World Cup winner (including the 2006 title), Italy's only Olympic gold was won at the Berlin Games in 1936 during the country's first great international golden age.
Cameroon
Cameroon, the 2000 gold medalists, certainly can't be counted out, although sometimes it is difficult to measure how dangerous African teams will be prior to major tournaments. Known as the Lion Cubs, Cameroon's strength is its attack through its midfield as Stephane Mbia and Alexandre Song (Arsenal) have played for the senior side. The team, however, took a hit when midfielder Landry Nguemo (Nancy, France) had to withdraw from the team due to an illness.
Honduras
Honduras twice has qualified for the Summer Games, both times besting the U.S. on home soil in the CONCACAF qualifying final. The Central American side did it again with a 1-0 victory in Nashville, Tenn. Ironically, the man who propelled the Hondurans to the top with his extra-time goal, Georgie Wilson Welcome (an MLS discovery selection by the New England Revolution who hasn't signed with the team), has not been included on the team. They still hope to make an impact in what could be a difficult group behind the likes of central defender Hendry Thomas and overage forward Carlos Pavon.
South Korea The Koreans played in three scoreless ties as they qualified for sixth consecutive Olympics and the former figure doesn't portend good things for the Summer Games, which the competition will be must more difficult. They scored only four goals en route to three qualifying matches. New coach Park Sung-Wha's goal is to find some offense up the middle of the field. The Koreans are hoping to be buoyed by midfielders Park Chu-Young and Baek Ji-Hong.
