Argentina, Brazil to rise above Messi action
Wednesday, 6 August 2008
BEIJING, Aug 5 (AFP): The Olympic men's football competition, which kicks off Thursday under a pall of legal action, shapes as a South American extravaganza featuring Argentina and Brazil-but not in the final.
As football celebrates 100 years as an Olympic sport, the South American powerhouses are drawn to meet in the semi-finals, if both win their group and quarter- final matches, leaving the other finals berths wide open.
The Netherlands have the strongest European claim ahead of Italy, and the United States also command respect in the 16-nation tournament, but none holds the same aura as defending champions Argentina and their neighbours Brazil.
Less than 48-hours before their opening matches, however, the South Americans were still in the dark about their line-ups European clubs Barcelona, Werder Bremen and Schalke are fighting to keep their young stars-Argentina's Lionel Messi and Brazil's Diego and Rafinha-out of the Games which clash with their own season.
But, even if the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) decides in favour of the clubs in a decision due Wednesday, the South Americans have an ability to draw on a seemingly endless assembly line of young talent.
While the under-23 age restriction at the Olympics may have weakened many countries, the strength of the Argentinian and Brazilian sides lies with their youthful prodigies.
Even if Messi is ruled out, Argentina's squad includes Boca star Juan Roman Riquelme, Atletico Madrid's Sergio Aguero and Javier Mascherano from Liverpool.
As football celebrates 100 years as an Olympic sport, the South American powerhouses are drawn to meet in the semi-finals, if both win their group and quarter- final matches, leaving the other finals berths wide open.
The Netherlands have the strongest European claim ahead of Italy, and the United States also command respect in the 16-nation tournament, but none holds the same aura as defending champions Argentina and their neighbours Brazil.
Less than 48-hours before their opening matches, however, the South Americans were still in the dark about their line-ups European clubs Barcelona, Werder Bremen and Schalke are fighting to keep their young stars-Argentina's Lionel Messi and Brazil's Diego and Rafinha-out of the Games which clash with their own season.
But, even if the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) decides in favour of the clubs in a decision due Wednesday, the South Americans have an ability to draw on a seemingly endless assembly line of young talent.
While the under-23 age restriction at the Olympics may have weakened many countries, the strength of the Argentinian and Brazilian sides lies with their youthful prodigies.
Even if Messi is ruled out, Argentina's squad includes Boca star Juan Roman Riquelme, Atletico Madrid's Sergio Aguero and Javier Mascherano from Liverpool.