Rio de Janeiro: Asia’s trio of Olympic hopefuls have learned their Group Stage opponents for Men’s Football Tournament at Rio 2016 following the conclusion of Thursday’s draw at the Maracana.
Continental champions Japan (pictured) have been been pooled in Group B where the will face Sweden, who like the 2016 AFC U-23 Championship winners are taking part in their 10th Olympics; 2015 CAF U-23 Africa Cup of Nations Champions Nigeria; and Colombia, who became the final team to take their place in the draw after defeating the USA in last month’s intercontinental play-off.
Korea Republic’s record eighth successive Olympic campaign sees the ten-time Summer Games’ participants drawn in Group C where they will face tournament debutants Fiji, London 2012 gold medal winners Mexico, and Germany, who are returning to the Olympics for the first time since Seoul 1988, where they won the bronze medal.
Meanwhile Iraq, who defeated AFC U-23 Championship hosts Qatar to claim the continent’s third berth for the football tournament of the 31st Olympiad, find themselves facing the host nation once again, with the Lions of Mesopotamia drawn in Group A alongside hosts Brazil, South Africa, and three-time silver medalists Denmark.
Men’s Olympic Football Tournament Rio 2016: Group Stage
GROUP A: Brazil, South Africa, Iraq, Denmark
GROUP B: Sweden, Colombia, Nigeria, Japan
GROUP C: Fiji, Korea Republic, Mexico, Germany
GROUP D: Honduras, Algeria, Portugal, Argentina
JAPAN: OLYMPIC FACTS & FIGURES
Previous appearances: 9
(2012, 2008, 2004, 2000,1996, 1968, 1964, 1956, 1936)
Best finish: Bronze medal (1968)
Matches played: 32
All-time record (W-D-L): 13 - 4 - 15
Goals scored: 41
Goals conceded: 60
Best result: 3-0 (versus Egypt in 2012)
KOREA REPUBLIC: OLYMPIC FACTS & FIGURES
Previous appearances: 9
(2012, 2008. 2004. 2000, 1996, 1992. 1988, 1964, 1948)
Best finish: Bronze medal (2014)
Matches played: 30
All-time record (W-D-L): 8 - 12 - 10
Goals scored: 28
Goals conceded: 61
Best result: 5-3 (versus Mexico in 1948)
IRAQ: OLYMPIC FACTS & FIGURES
Previous appearances: 4
(2004, 1988, 1984, 1980)
Best finish: Fourth (2004)
Matches played: 16
All-time record (W-D-L): 5 - 4 - 7
Goals scored: 21
Goals conceded: 23
Best result: 3-0 (v Guatemala in 1988, v Costa Rica in 1980)
Source: the-afc.com