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Journalism of Courage
Sydney, June 3: Defending champions Nigeria were handed a tough assignment when the draw for the Olympic soccer tournament was made on Saturday.
Brazil, beaten 4-3 by Nigeria in the semi-finals, face an easier task in Pool D where they take on Slovakia, Japan and South Africa.
The 16-team tournament starts on September 13, two days before the Sydney Games opening ceremony. The final is on September 30.
Australia host Italy in Melbourne on the opening night. Each squad is allowed to include three players over the age of 23. Teams play three first-round matches with the top two from each pool advancing to the quarter-finals.
In the women’s event, defending Olympic champions the United states face China in pool F alongwith Norway and Nigeria. Australia are in Pool E with Germany, Sweden and brazil.
The eight-team tournament also starts on September 13 with the gold medal play-off on September 28.
FIFA secretary-general Michel Zen-Rufinen warned European clubs to release their players in time for the tournament when he made the draw.
European clubs have lobbied to have the release period cut to just 10 days as the tournament clashes with their domestic and European Cup seasons.
Zen-Rufinen said players who failed to turn up when fit would be suspended.
“If he does not turn up he will be suspended immediately and should he play for his club during the suspension, then the match in which he played would be declared null and void,” he said.
FIFA spokesman Keith Cooper said an inspection of the facilities in Brisbane, Melbourne, Canberra and Adelaide had shown them to be up to scratch.
“The Olympic stadium is just breathtaking, it’s one of the finest stadiums you would find anywhere in the world, if not the finest right now,” he said. But he was worried about the pitches
“The grass is not that great everywhere,” he said.
“But with a bit of tender loving care these playing surfaces, I’m absolutely convinced, will be up to the standard that we need.”
