* Soccer will be a highlight at Tokyo Olympics* 16 teams in four groups to fight for Gold* In Rio 2016, hosts won the GoldCompiled by Ranjika PereraTokyo 2020 Football – All you need to knowHere’s all you need to know about the groups, match dates, and kick-off times for the men’s Olympic football tournament:GROUPSThe 16 nations competing have been separated into four groups with top two from each one progressing to the knockout stagesGroup A:Japan, Mexico, France, South AfricaGroup B:Honduras, South Korea, New Zealand, RomaniaGroup C:Argentina, Australia, Egypt, SpainGroup D:Brazil, Germany, Ivory Coast, Saudi ArabiaFIXTURES* Thursday, 2 JulyEgypt vs. Spain – 8.00 p.m.Mexico vs. France – 8.30 p.m.New Zealand vs. South Korea – 8.30 p.m.Ivory Coast vs. Saudi Arabia – 9.00 p.m.Argentina vs. Australia – 11.00 p.m.Honduras vs. Romania – 11.30 p.m.Japan vs. South Africa – 11.30 p.m.Brazil vs. Germany – 12.00 midnight* Sunday, 25 JulyEgypt vs. Argentina – 8.00 p.m.France vs. South Africa – 8.30 p.m.New Zealand vs. Honduras – 8.30 p.m.Brazil vs. Ivory Coast – 9.00 p.m.Australia vs. Spain – 11.00 p.m.Romania vs. South Korea – 11.30 p.m.Japan vs. Mexico – 11.30 p.m.Saudi Arabia vs. Germany – 12.00 midnight* Wednesday, 28 JulySaudi Arabia vs. Brazil – 08.30 p.m.Germany vs. Ivory Coast – 08.30 p.m.Romania vs. New Zealand – 09.00 p.m.South Korea vs. Honduras – 09.00 p.m.Spain vs. Argentina – 11.30 p.m.Australia vs. Egypt – 11.30 p.m.France vs. Japan – 12.00 midnightSouth Africa vs. Mexico – 12.00 midnight* Saturday, 31 JulyQF1: Group A Winner vs. Group B Runner-UpQF2: Group C Winner vs. Group D Runner-UpQF3: Group B Winner vs. Group A Runner-UpQF4: Group D Winner vs. Group C Runner-Up* Tuesday, 3 AugustSF1: QF1 Winner vs. QF2 WinnerSF2: QF3 Winner vs. QF4 Winner* Friday, 6 AugustBronze Medal Match* Saturday, 7 AugustGold Medal MatchArgentina’s Lionel Messi and team-mates celebrate winning the Copa America on 11 JulyFootball action returns as Olympic Games will include a 16-team tournament to fight for a gold medal. Fans would be excited to watch some football up until the clubs season kicks off in September. Football at the Olympics is certainly not considered the biggest sport of the Games but it does offer a chance for younger players and lower-ranked teams a chance at glory. Unsurprisingly, many of the male players who featured at Euro 2020 won’t be competing in the Olympics with players needing a well-earned rest before their club campaigns begin next month. A 32-match schedule in two weeks can be tough which is why the football tournament in Tokyo begins a day earlier than the official opening ceremony.

Source: The Nation July 19, 2021 19:52 UTC