The draw occurred this morning and Sergio Batista prepares intensely to help Argentina defend their Olympic medal. For many, this group looks very similar to their Group of Death back in 2006. With Ivory Coast and Serbia on their calendar, there is a need to be concerned. Add to that an Australia side that can bring a match-up problem for the Albiceleste. The Argentines in the meantime know that they have the one biggest matchup mismatch as Juan Román Riquelme announced that he will be in Beijing with the national team along with players like Carlos Tévez, Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, and a whole host of others. Group B sees the European champs face 1996 gold medalist Nigeria along with Japan and perennial contenders in the United States. Meanwhile Brazil looks to be in good shape in taking their first step to win their first-ever gold medal as they arguably got the best draw with hosts China, New Zealand, and Belgium.
2000 gold medalist and African champs Cameroon will be in a battle with Italy as well as South Korea. But beware, the Cinderella story of this tournament could come out of this group as Honduras showed a great deal of promise after leaving Mexico behind in the CONCACAF Olympic qualifiers. Hey, I want to be given credit in the event this does come true. So this is my first prediction of the Olympics. Honduras will be the surprise of the tournament. I am not saying they will win the gold medal, but they will be the India in 1956, Chile in 2000, Paraguay and Iraq in 2004.
Group A
Argentina
Australia
Ivory Coast
Serbia
Group B
Netherlands
Nigeria
Japan
United States
Group C
Brazil
China
New Zealand
Belgium
Group D
Cameroon
South Korea
Honduras
Italy
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