Athens 2004 - FIFA.com

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18 Confederations‘ Analysis 26 Technical and Tactical Analysis 16 17
18 Overall Analysis Confederations‘ Analysis Photos: Mexsport The Men’s Olympic Football Tournament was dominated by South America, with both CONMEBOL teams reaching the final. AFC (Iraq, Japan, Korea Republic) On the whole, the three Asian representatives did not disappoint. Japan may have reached the end of the road in the group stage, but they can still be pleased with their performances. In their first two matches, individual mistakes led to the Japanese conceding early goals, and although the team recovered well to play as a unit, they could not prevent defeat. Korea Republic finally bowed out in the quarter-finals after a defeat by eventual silver medallists Paraguay. The Korean game plan was based around a compact, solid defence and quick-fire counterattacks and while such tactics are notoriously energy sapping, the Koreans’ extraordinary physical fitness ensured that the tactics were a success. However, Iraq were the standard bearers for AFC, progressing to the semi-finals. The Iraqis proved the benefit of allowing a team to mature together over a long period of time. The team gelled well at the back and used quick counterattacks down both wings. However, towards the end of the tournament, with more and more eyes fixed upon the Iraqis’ exploits, the team found itself somewhat stifled by the pressure. Nevertheless, fourth place was an excellent achievement for Iraq. CAF (Ghana, Mali, Morocco, Tunisia) The tournament proved to be a major disappointment for the African confederation, with three of their representatives also failing to survive the group stage. Only Mali qualified for the quarter-finals, losing 1-0 to an extra time Italian winner after a highly creditable performance. Going into the final round of group matches, Ghana were confident of securing their passage to the quarter-finals, as they were working well as a unit, showing good technique and employing solid tactics. However, after encouraging results against eventual medal-winners Italy and Paraguay, the Ghanaians failed to capitalise, going down to a surprise defeat at the hands of a Japanese team that had failed to win either of their first two matches. The two remaining CAF teams, Morocco and Tunisia, also missed out by the slightest of margins – Morocco by one goal and Tunisia on goal difference. The two North African teams employed similar playing systems and their players showed good technique and a firm grasp of tactics. After assured build-up play with short passing interchanges, the teams invariably played a long ball towards the speedy, mobile attackers. However, both teams suffered from a lack of concentration in front of the opposition goal. In their quarter-final, Mali’s determined showing impressed many but their players often attempted to do too much on their own and their attacks were easily thwarted by a solid Italian defence. CONCACAF (Costa Rica, Mexico) CONCACAF was represented by Mexico and Costa Rica. Mexico travelled to Greece with lofty expectations, particularly as their squad was full of players with great potential. The Mexicans showed good technique, were strong in the tackle and worked well as a team, but a lack of determination and concentration in front of goal in the early stages of the tournament led to Mexico’s early exit. Costa Rica provided one of the major surprises, comfortably defeating Portugal 4-2 and unexpectedly qualifying for the quarter-finals despite failing to score in their other two group matches before losing 4-0 to Argentina in the last eight. The Costa Rican players also showed good technique, gelled well and were full of energy. But like their CONCACAF counterparts from Mexico, the Costa Ricans did not score enough goals, failing to hit the net in three of their four matches. CONMEBOL (Argentina, Paraguay) The Argentines were the measure of all things with a remarkable run of victories carrying them all the way to the gold medal. In just six matches, Argentina scored 17 goals without reply and there could have been no more emphatic way to achieve their stated objective – to claim the Olympic title. The team found the perfect balance of experience and youthful spontaneity. The more senior players, Ayala (2) and Heinze (6), brought a sense of security to the defence, while in midfield, a young player, Mascherano (5), and Kily Gonzalez (11) provided the team with even more stability. These players formed the perfect foundations for Argentina’s attacking game, allowing D’Alessandro’s (15) creative game to flourish, the speed and dribbling skills of wingers Delgado (8) and Rosales (12) to come to the fore and the lethal Tevez (10) to conquer all up front. Argentina’s success was also built around the willingness of each and every player to help out in defence. Paraguay’s march to the final may not have been as impressive, but they were an efficient, well-organised team, despite changing their playing system more often than other teams. The Paraguayans did not find their best formation until the quarter-finals with the team based around the experience of defender Gamarra (4) and midfielder Enciso (13), as well as lethal strikers Cardozo (17) and Bareiro (9). Underdogs going into the final, Paraguay did not make it easy for Ar- gentina. However, the indiscipline of certain players was such that two red cards were given, and by the end of the match they had been reduced to just nine men. OFC (Australia) Australia represented Oceania, and they caught the eye with excellent attacking football and tactical balance. The Australians’ strengths lay in their energy, running and team spirit and if they had converted their chances in the quarter-final against Iraq, the Australians could well have qualified for the semi-finals despite the suspension of three key players. UEFA (Italy, Portugal, Serbia & Montenegro and hosts Greece) Three of the four UEFA teams crashed out in the group stage. Greece evidently suffered from the weight of expectation and despite having a stable defence and an attack blessed with good technique and pace, the Greeks were never able to play to their true potential and they propped up their group at the end of the first stage. It was a similar story for Serbia and Montenegro, runners-up in the European qualifiers, as they failed to recover from a 6-0 defeat in their opening match against Argentina and also bowed out after a disappointing first round. Despite boasting players with good technique, the team was unable to gel as a unit. Portugal were the third European team to fall at the first hurdle. Although they had a strong squad on paper with a good mix of 19
Page 1 and 2: Fédération Internationale de Foot
Page 3 and 4: Contents Olympic Football
Page 5 and 6: 6 Forewords Issa Hayatou Chairman o
Page 7 and 8: 10 General General Organisation Dan
Page 9: General General Organisation An den
Page 13 and 14: 22 Overall Analysis Confederations
Page 15 and 16: 26 Overall Analysis Technical and T
Page 17 and 18: 30 Overall Analysis Technical and T
Page 19 and 20: Statistics and Team Data Results an
Page 21 and 22: Statistics and Team Data PARAGUAY v
Page 23 and 24: Statistics and Team Data MALI v. IT
Page 25 and 26: Statistics and Team Data LIST OF GO
Page 27 and 28: Statistics and Team Data ATTENDANCE
Page 29 and 30: Statistics and Team Data Preliminar
Page 31 and 32: Statistics and Team Data Preliminar
Page 33 and 34: Statistics and Team Data NUMBER OF
Page 35 and 36: Statistics and Team Data Argentina
Page 37 and 38: Statistics and Team Data Australia
Page 39 and 40: Statistics and Team Data Costa Rica
Page 41 and 42: Statistics and Team Data Ghana Phot
Page 43 and 44: Statistics and Team Data Greece Pho
Page 45 and 46: Statistics and Team Data Iraq Athen
Page 47 and 48: Statistics and Team Data Italy Havi
Page 49 and 50: Statistics and Team Data Japan Japa
Page 51 and 52: Statistics and Team Data Korea Repu
Page 53 and 54: Statistics and Team Data Mali Photo
Page 55 and 56: Statistics and Team Data Mexico Des
Page 57 and 58: Statistics and Team Data Morocco Ph
Page 59 and 60: Statistics and Team Data Paraguay P
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Statistics and Team Data Portugal A
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Statistics and Team Data Serbia & M
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Statistics and Team Data Tunisia Tu
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130 132 Confederations‘ Analysis
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134 Overall Analysis Confederations
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138 Overall Analysis Confederations
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142 Overall Analysis Technical and
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148 Results and Rankings 150 The Ve
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Statistics and Team Data The Venues
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Statistics and Team Data Standings
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Statistics and Team Data COMPARISON
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Statistics and Team Data 23.08.04 1
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Statistics and Team Data Players pa
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Statistics and Team Data Australia
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Statistics and Team Data Brazil The
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Statistics and Team Data China PR C
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Statistics and Team Data Germany Ge
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Statistics and Team Data Greece The
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Statistics and Team Data Japan Japa
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Statistics and Team Data Mexico Pho
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Statistics and Team Data Nigeria Ha
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Statistics and Team Data Sweden Pho
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Statistics and Team Data USA With a
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210 General FIFA Delegation FIFA Pr
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Athens 2004 - FIFA.com

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