Asia seeks first Olympic football gold in 100-yr
Friday, 18 July 2008
SINGAPORE, July 17 (AFP): No Asian team has won the football gold medal since the sport was included in the Olympics 100 years ago, and barring an upset they will struggle to breakthrough in Beijing.
Regional sides have had some success over the years, with Japan taking the bronze in 1968 in Mexico City, when they beat the host nation 2-0 in the play-off match.
And on three occasions Asian teams have finished in fourth place -- India in 1956 in Melbourne, Australia in 1992 at Barcelona (they were then affifilated with Oceania rather than Asia), and Iraq four years ago in Athens.
But the ultimate prize has eluded Asia.
Once again, traditional heavyweights Japan, South Korea, and Australia are in the draw after coming through qualifying while China go in as hosts.
China is in a group with Belgium, New Zealand and one of the favourites Brazil, although the South American giants are without star midfielder Kaka after AC Milan refused to release him.
"Though Brazil is hot favourite of the group and is also the title favourite, I still hope we can make some trouble," insists China coach Ratomir Dujkovic.
"We are playing at home and though we respect Brazil we will not give up."
The top two from each group progress to the quarter-finals.
More than one billion people will be expecting China to shine, but the signs are not promising following the under 23 team's performance in the East Asian championships in February when they finished behind Japan and South Korea.
It led to calls for Chinese Football Association vice president Xie Yalong to be sacked, and his position could be under threat once again should they fail next month.
How Chinese fans behave will also be closely watched, especially if they meet Japan, w hich has been targeted in the past with taunts and abuse over its wartime atrocities.
And the Chinese players will also be under scrutiny with memories lingering of their notorious punch-up with London club QPR, dubbed the "Great Brawl of China", during a friendly last year.
Regional sides have had some success over the years, with Japan taking the bronze in 1968 in Mexico City, when they beat the host nation 2-0 in the play-off match.
And on three occasions Asian teams have finished in fourth place -- India in 1956 in Melbourne, Australia in 1992 at Barcelona (they were then affifilated with Oceania rather than Asia), and Iraq four years ago in Athens.
But the ultimate prize has eluded Asia.
Once again, traditional heavyweights Japan, South Korea, and Australia are in the draw after coming through qualifying while China go in as hosts.
China is in a group with Belgium, New Zealand and one of the favourites Brazil, although the South American giants are without star midfielder Kaka after AC Milan refused to release him.
"Though Brazil is hot favourite of the group and is also the title favourite, I still hope we can make some trouble," insists China coach Ratomir Dujkovic.
"We are playing at home and though we respect Brazil we will not give up."
The top two from each group progress to the quarter-finals.
More than one billion people will be expecting China to shine, but the signs are not promising following the under 23 team's performance in the East Asian championships in February when they finished behind Japan and South Korea.
It led to calls for Chinese Football Association vice president Xie Yalong to be sacked, and his position could be under threat once again should they fail next month.
How Chinese fans behave will also be closely watched, especially if they meet Japan, w hich has been targeted in the past with taunts and abuse over its wartime atrocities.
And the Chinese players will also be under scrutiny with memories lingering of their notorious punch-up with London club QPR, dubbed the "Great Brawl of China", during a friendly last year.