ACOG - Football - IBM

Preview of Men's Football

For 121 national associations, it began as a dream; a dream of representing their countries in the men's football tournament of the historic Centennial Olympic Games. From Buenos Aires to Budapest the dream has taken these competitors through endless hours of intense training and through two grueling years of qualifying rounds to a final place in the Games. For one team, the dream will be realized in Athens.

The 1996 Olympic football tournament features teams as diverse as the continents they represent. For some of the squads, the Games are a chance to add to collections of international honors while others will look to the Games to earn their spot among the world's football elite.

For the tradition-rich teams from Brazil and Argentina, the Games offer a chance to add a first-ever gold medal to a treasure of international accomplishments. For three-time champion Hungary, the Games represent the opportunity to restore a long history of Olympic excellence with an unprecedented fourth gold medal. But for other teams, the Olympic tournament will confirm a new generation of heroes. For Ghana, the bronze medal team in 1992, the Games present the next step in football maturity after winning two under-17 World Championships. A first-ever victory at the Games could define success for Tunisia, Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, while the Games mark the return of teams from Portugal and Japan after long Olympic absences. Finally, the Games offer the host United States a chance to secure a place for the world's most popular sport in a nation where a more familiar brand of football is played with pads and a pigskin.

But while the teams may vary in style and motivation, the players share some common bonds. Truly representing the youthful theme of the Games, the football tournament features the sports most promising young stars. Fifteen of the 18 players on each roster must be under the age of 23. Although the players are young, they are not inexperienced. Most of the members of the under-23 Olympic teams have grown up playing in Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) competitions on under-17 and under-20 teams as well as in the world's great professional leagues. Even with younger players, the quality of play has remained at a high level. The importance countries place on a highly-competitive Olympic team is demonstrated with national "A" and World Cup team coaches often taking on dual responsibilities with the under-23 Olympic squad.

In 1996, a new rule will allow teams some additional experience. Teams may add three wild card players, over the age of 23 and most likely from the country's "A" or World Cup national teams, to their roster. The addition of potential wild cards like the USA's Alexi LALAS or Brazilian playmaker ROMARIO could transform teams into instant medal contenders while providing the opportunity for some of the sport's greatest players to play in the world's greatest sporting spectacle.

With the addition of the wild card players and a new set of heroes, the Olympic Games will set a whole new generation of players and fans dreaming of Olympic glory. For the 16 teams in the tournament, the dream of participating in the Olympic Games has already been realized. But for one team, the dream will be the ultimate honor. For one team, the dream will be golden.

Men's Teams

Argentina (ARG)

The winner of two World Cup titles, Argentina will try to extend its international success to the Olympic Games. Although the country's top professionals won world championships in 1978 and 1978, Argentina has not been as successful at the Games, earning only a silver medal in 1928. However the latest group of Argentinians could change all of that after with Marcelo DELGADO and Hernan CRESPO leading a team that went undefeated in the South American qualifying tournament. Delgado scored seven goals in the qualifying rounds while Crespo added five tallies to lift Argentina to a spot in the Games. Argentina owns a 6-5-3 record in four previous Olympic football tournaments.

Australia (AUS)

Continuing to build on a growing football tradition, Australia earned its fourth trip to the Games after capturing the Oceania championship and defeating Canada in a playoff for the final Olympic tournament berth. Outscoring opponents by a whopping 48-4 margin, the "Olyroos" cruised to the Oceania title behind the play of forward Joe SPITERI, Croatia Zagreb standout Mark Viduka and 1993 World Youth Championship alumnus Kevin MUSCAT. SPITERI led the scoring assault with eight goals including a pair of hat tricks against Vanuatu and New Zealand. Australia finished fourth at the 1992 Olympic tournament, losing to Ghana in the bronze medal match, 1-0.

Brazil (BRA)

One of the world's most dominant football nations, Brazil will look to add an elusive Olympic gold medal to its vast collection of international awards. Brazil's top professionals won an unprecedented fourth World Cup title in 1994, but the country's Olympic hopes will rest with a younger, and perhaps quicker, version of the world champions. The Brazilians ended a 36-year Olympic Games drought with silver medals at the 1984 and 1988 Games, and the addition of veteran players to the 23 and under roster could help put Brazil back on the victory podium. The team's leading scorer in the qualifying matches, Caio tallied four goals in a single match against Bolivia to help Brazil go undefeated in the qualifying rounds while Juninho has earned rearly raves playing in the English Premier League.

France (FRA)

The last time the Olympic football tournament was played in the United States, France won the gold medal. Hopes for a repeat performance by France rest with a young team rich in first-division club experience. French national team member Claude MAKELELE helped lift FC Nantes to the 1995 French League championship while Patrick VIEIRA signed with the legendary Italian, club AC Milan. Florian MAURICE finished fourth in the first division in scoring. Forward Robert PIRES scored two goals in a 4-1 win over Germany in qualifying play and is the nephew of 1984 Olympic gold medalist, Francois Brisson.

Ghana (GHA)

Dubbed the "Black Meteors" at the 1992 Games, Ghana blazed its way to a bronze medal with a 1-0 win over Australia in the third-place match in Barcelona. With its first ever Olympic football medal secured, a new generation of Meteors will look to continue the tradition in 1996 as the team makes its sixth appearance in the Olympic football tournament. A tribute to the country's development of young players, Ghana captured the Under-17 World Championships in 1991 and 1995 and placed second in 1993. Many members of the 1993 team make up the roster of Ghana's Olympic squad including captain Charles AKUNNOR, Joseph FAMEYE and 1991 Under-17 hero Emmanuel DUAH.

Hungary (HUN) One of the most successful football teams in Olympic history, Hungary returns to the Games in search of an unpresidented fourth gold medal. After earning back-to-back gold medals in 1964 and 1968 and a silver in 1972, the Hungarians failed to qualify for the tournament in the last five Olympiads. However the latest edition of the Hungarian squad features top club players Kirsztian LISZTES, Gabor HALMI and Gabot EGRESSY, and could earn a record sixth medal (3 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze) at the Games. The 106 all-time goals scored by Hungary in the tournament ranks second only to Yugoslavia's 109 for the highest total in Olympic history.

Italy (ITA)

One of the true international football super-powers, Italy continues to produce championship teams at every level. Italy won the 1936 Olympic gold medal, and is one of only two teams to have won three World Cup championships. In spite of their world-wide success, the Italians have been shutout of the medals at the Games since winning the gold medal in Berlin. The country's lastest team of contenders could change all of that with 1995 World Soccer European Player of the Year runner-up Alessandero DEL PIERO, Olympic qualifying heroes Christian VIERI and Marco DELVECCHIO, forward Arturo DI NAPOLI and goalkeeper Gianluigi BUFFON. Appearing in a record 12th Olympic Tournament, Italy entered the group play with an all-time Games record of 24-17-3.

Japan (JPN)

The only Asian country to win a medal at the Games, Japan returns to the tournament for the first time since capturing the bronze medal in Mexico City in 1968. Masakiyo MAEZONO captained Japan to the championship game of the Asian qualifying tournament, and scored a pair of goals in Japan's 4-1 win over Oman in the tourney's first round. Hidetoshi KAKATA was named the Most Valuable Player in Japan's qualifying match against Iraq, while national team veteran Shoji JO also added a pair of goals in the early qualifying round. Making its fifth appearance at the Games, Japan owns a 5-5-2 record in Olympic play.

Korea (KOR)

The Asian qualifying tournament championship team, Korea used a balanced scoring attack and a traditionally tough defense to earn the trip to the Games. Young-Su CHOI scored both goals in a 2-1 win over Iraq and then added the winning goal in a 2-1 win over Japan in the tournament's championship match. Hwan Yoon JONG and Woo-Young Lee scored two goals apiece in the qualifying tournament to help lift Korea to its first trip to the Games since 1948. Goalkeeper Jae-Lee WOON and defender Dong-Myung SEO are veterans of Korea's 1994 World Cup team.

Mexico (MEX)

Champions of the North/Central America and Caribbean qualifying tournament, Mexico returns to the Games after settling for three tied matches in Barcelona. Midfielders Augustin GARCIA (UAG) and Raul Rodrigo LARA (Club America) helped Mexico secure its place in the Games while Cuahtemoc BLANCO (Club America) ranked among the Olympic qualifying tournament's leading scorers with four goals. Goalkeeper Oswaldo SANCHEZ allowed just one goal in the qualifying tournament as Mexico outscored opponents 12-1 on its way to a perfect 5-0 record. In its eighth Olympic tournament, Mexico posted its best football finish in 1968 when the host team lost to Japan, 2-0, in the bronze medal match.

Nigeria (NGR)

A surprise entry in the tournament, Nigeria earned its place in the Games after upsetting Egypt and Zimbabwe in the second and third rounds of the African qualifying tournament. The team posted four shutouts in the six qualifying matches and outscored opponents, 13-3. Nigeria last competed in the Games in 1968 and entered the 1996 tournament with an all-time record of 0-7-2. The return of Nigeria to the Olympic Games signifies the country's continued improvement in the sport. Nigeria won the Under-17 World Championships in 1985 and 1993 while its "A" team made its first-ever appearance in the final stages of the World Cup in 1994.

Portugal (POR)

In its first Olympic football tournament appearance since 1928, Portugal returns to the Games after winning the Group 6 competition in the European qualifying tournament. A third-place finish at the 1995 Under-20 World Championships helped mark Portugal's resurgence in international play, and the Olympic roster is filled with veterans from the bronze-medal squad. Carvalho Daniel DANI earned the Silver Ball Award as the third-leading scorer at the World Championships while 1995 Portuguese All-Star Emilio Manuel Delgado PEIXE played on the 1991 World Youth Cup championship team. Silva Joaquim QUIM started at goalkeeper for the Under-20 team .

Saudi Arabia (KSA)

With its fast, free-flowing style, the Saudi Arabia team may resemble its South American rivals more than its physical European neighbors. The similarities are no coincidence as the Saudis followed the style, tactics and coaching of the highly- successful South American squads to earn a third-place finish in the Asian qualifying tournament. A beneficiary of the creative style, Obied S.S AL DOSSARY virtually carried the team to the Games, scoring five of Saudi Arabia's six first-round goals in the Asian qualifying tournament. Dossary also added a hat trick in a 4-0 win over Kazakhstan to complement a goal by Ibrahim BIN ISA. A relative newcomer to international championships, Saudi Arabia made its first Olympic appearance in 1984 when it posted a 0-3 record. The country qualified for its first World Cup in 1994.

Spain (ESP)

The defending Olympic champion, Spain won its first-ever football gold medal with a 3-2 win over Poland in the finals at Barcelona. Only three teams have won back-to-back football championships at the Olympic Games, but don't count out the Spainards. The 1995 Spanish Player of the Year, Julen GUERRO was the youngest member of Spain's 1994 World Cup team while Joseba ETEXEBERRIA earned the Golden Shoe award at the 1995 Under-20 World Championships as the tourney's leading scorer. Gonzalez Blanco RAUL and Ivan DE LA PENA also competed on the Under-20 squad that placed fourth at the World Championships. Midfielder ROBERTO tallied the winning goal in a 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic to send Spain to the Games.

Tunisia (TUN)

Although making only its third Olympic Games appearance, Tunisia has already enjoyed some international successs in 1996. Many members of the Tunisian team played on the same squad that eaned a spot in the finals of the 1996 African Nation's Cup including Imed BEN YOUNES and Kaieo KODHBANE. Ousted by Togo in the second round of the African qualifying tournament., Tunisia made the most of a second chance after Togo was suspension from the tournament for "contravening the age limit rules." With the reversal of fortune, Tunisia advanced to the third round where it topped Guinea for a place in the Olympic tournament. Tunisia entered the Games in search of its first Olympic victory after going 0-4-2 in its first two appearances.

United States (USA)

The host team has won the gold medal three times in Olympic history including Spain's 1992 win in Barcelona. Although the road could be more difficult for this year's hosts, the home field advantage and the development of new talent could help draw the Americans closer to the victory stand. Foreign club teams have noticed the rise in talent level in the United States, and signed U.S. Under-23 stars Jovan KIROVSKY and Gregg BERHALTER to club contracts. Brian MAISONNEUVE and Michael FISHER both earned Hermann Awards as the nation's best collegiate players while A.J. WOOD is the Under-23 team's leading scorer. Nine members of the 1992 Olympic team went on to earn spots on the 1994 World Cup squad.

This is an official publication of the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Sports Publication Department. Written by Howard Thomas.


Olympic Factoid
Closing Ceremony of the 1996 Games involved a crew of 2,100 who worked with more than 3,500 performers as well as thousands of athletes who celebrated on the field of Olympic Stadium.