Draw sets exciting scene_4401
 

Twenty-eight sides discovered the hurdles they will have to
overcome to reach the second round in this year's Olympic
Football Tournaments when the official draw took place today in
Beijing, the capital of China PR. The line-up for the group stage
of the global competition, which will be staged in Beijing,Coach Tote Bags,
Shanghai,Vibram Five Fingers Sprint, Tianjin, Shenyang and Qinhuangdao from 6 to 23 August,
threw up pairings that are interesting and exciting in equal
measure.On the men's side hosts China, who will appear in only their
second Olympic Football Tournament, will play group matches in
Shenyang against New Zealand, Belgium and Brazil, who are eager to
win their first Olympic gold medal. Defending champions Argentina
will have to go through Australia, and a pair of first-timers, C?te
d'Ivoire and Serbia. In Group B, former champions Nigeria lock
horns with the Netherlands, Japan and USA. Group D features two
former gold winners, Italy and Cameroon, with both Korea Republic
and Honduras more than capable of causing an upset.
Men's Draw resultsGroup A (Shanghai):
C?te d'Ivoire, Argentina, Australia, SerbiaGroup B (Tianjin):
Netherlands, Nigeria, Japan, USAGroup C (Shenyang):
China, New Zealand, Brazil, BelgiumGroup D (Qinhuangdao):
Korea Republic, Cameroon, Honduras, ItalyOnn the women's side of things, China were grouped with
Sweden and Canada, who knocked them out in the quarter-finals of
the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2003, while defending champions
USA have been drawn together with 2000 Olympic champions Norway,
alongside emerging Asian powers Japan and New Zealand. Two-time
world champions Germany will not have it easy, either, with Korea
DPR and Brazil set to test them.
Women's Draw results
Group E (Tianjin):
China, Sweden, Argentina, Canada
Group F (Shenyang):
Korea DPR, Nigeria, Germany, Brazil
Group G (Qianhuangdao):
Norway, USA, Japan, New ZealandWith the memory of the FIFA Women's World Cup China 2007
still fresh in mind, the forthcoming Olympic football tournament
will provide the host nation with another chance to showcase their
pedigree in organisation and hospitality. The official draw,
unsurprisingly, drew extensive attention and interest at home and
abroad, with around 200 media representatives flocking to the
Beijing's Regent Hotel, the venue for the draw.
The ceremony marked a grand meeting of footballing
celebrities from across the world, with the FIFA delegation and
representatives of the participating teams present. Those gracing
the occasion included FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter, Chinese
Minister of the General Administration of Sport Liu Peng, FIFA
vice-president Chung Mong-joon, BOCOG's Executive
Vice-President Yang Shu'an, FIFA General Secretary J��r?me
Valcke and Chinese Football Association vice-president and general
secretary Xie Ya Long.
A traditional drum-dance performed by a group of female
artists kick-started the ceremony, before Dr. Mong Joon Chung gave
the opening speech. He expresed belief that the 2008 Olympic
Football Tournament, Asia's first since Seoul 1988, will be a
grand event when it returns to the country where football is said
to have originated. "Six billion people across the world are
eagerly awaiting the Olympics," he said. "We believe the
tournament will be a great one as football returns to its
birthplace."
Taking the stage next was Mr. Liu Peng, who extended the
hosts' warmth and hospitality to guests from across the globe.
"Firstly, congratulations to all the 28 teams for qualifying
for this event", he said. "This Olympic tournament marks
the 100-year anniversary of football becoming a part of the
Olympics and we believe we will stage a great tournament this
time."
Total commitmentA speech by FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter followed. He
thanked the the hosts for their efforts and expects the tournament
to be one of the most successful in history. "We thank the
hosts for their hospitality and reception", he said. "And
we believe the tournament in August will witness the commitment of
the people not only in Beijing, but throughout the five venue
cities."
FIFA Secretary General J��r?me Valcke conducted the draws as
the fans looked on in earnest to see whom their respective teams
would be grouped with. Providing assistance during the process were
a selected group representing the Chinese footballing fraternity,
with Nian Weisi and Wang Junsheng, both former bosses of Chinese
Football Association, leading the likes of Ma Yuanan, Shen Xiangfu,
Gao Hongbo and Liu Ailing, the former star of the Chinese
women's team.
The ceremony ended as it began, with an artistic performance
which was characterised by the country's traditional culture.
The closing dancing show was named 'Dream of DunHuang', a
place renowned for linking the ancient China to the rest of the
world for the world-famous Silk Road. With this the hosts showed
the watching world their promise of hosting a great Olympic
football tournament as well as their warm welcome to all those who
will be present at the world's showpiece in August.