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Growing up the Olympic Games felt like a worldly affair. All Nations coming as one, taking part in achieving greatness together.
This month’s football tournament in conjunction with the Women’s is being held in East Asia a year later than proposed from the 22nd of July to the 7th of August, it’s also being played behind closed doors. Japan known as the Samurai Blue will be the host nation of the Olympic Games during the pandemic of COVD-19.
Accepted into Olympic tradition in the 1900s, the tournament has featured 27 Gold Medal winners; the current champions are Brazil who earned the number one spot for the first time coincidently when they were hosts of the Olympic Games in 2016.
There is a unique difference to this prestigious tournament, as the players must be under the age of 24, (born on or after the 1st January 1997) apart from three over-age players.
Olympic Qualifiers
Five different continental confederations will be competing for Gold. Japan qualified automatically as the hosts of the tournament while Oceania’s lone representative will be the three-time participants, the All Whites from New Zealand.
CONMEBOL has two former winners, previously mentioned Brazil have taken Gold once, while Argentina boast two Golds. CONCACAF can rely on the Mexican team who have taken part 11 times at the Olympics and have won Gold once at the 2012 games in London. Honduras have also qualified for their fifth Olympic Games.
Africa has three teams ready to compete in Japan. The CAF will have the Ivory Coast attending their second Olympics, South Africa their third, and finally Egypt competing in their 12th Olympic Games.
There are also three teams from the AFF vying for the trophy. Saudi Arabia will appear at the games for the third time, alongside Australia who are playing in their eighth games. Leading the pack from East Asia will be South Korea who won the Bronze in 2012.
The four fancied European teams that qualified were, Germany, Romania, and former Gold Medallists France and Spain.
The Four Groups
Group A Group B Group C Group D
Japan (H) New Zealand Egypt Brazil
South Africa South Korea Spain Germany
Mexico Honduras Argentina Ivory Coast
France Romania Australia Saudi Arabia
Group A
Japan
Japan vs South Africa 22nd July 2021 Tokyo Stadium
Japan vs Mexico 25th July 2021 Saitama Stadium
France vs Japan 28th July 2021 International Stadium
The Gaffer
Akinobu Yokouchi – the former attacking midfielder and caretaker manager of Sanfrecce Hiroshima will be eagerly awaiting to guide his Nation to their first Gold Medal on home soil.
Golden Stars
Takefusa Kubo, 20.
The Getafe star (Loan from Real Madrid) has been on the books of Barcelona as a youth player. He looks to be the attacking architect for goals in this team.
Ritsu Doan, 22.
The Arminia Bielefeld (Loan from PSV), midfield wizard with a quality first touch will be looking to control the centre of the midfield, whilst splitting opposition defenders with precise through balls.
South Africa
Japan vs South Africa 22nd July 2021 Tokyo Stadium
France vs South Africa 25th July 2021 Saitama Stadium
South Africa vs Mexico 28th July 2021 Sapporo Dome
The Gaffer
David Notoane – Born in Pretoria, the dual-threat coach plies his trade for the South Africa U23s since 2019, and he is the Sundowns Reserves manager in his native hometown.
Golden Stars
Luther Singh, 23.
The Pacos Ferreira forward (Loan from Braga) has an eye for the spectacular, fast feet and lightning pace, Singh will frighten defenders.
Sipho Mbule, 23.
The SuperSport United midfielder is a dynamic player, who loves a long a long-range strike, goalkeepers must beware and alert.
Mexico
Mexico vs France 22nd July 2021 Tokyo Stadium
Japan vs Mexico 25th July 2021 Saitama Stadium
South Africa vs Mexico 28th July 2021 Sapporo Stadium
The Gaffer
Jamie Lozano – “Jimmy” as he is known by his ex-international colleagues. Leading the Olympic team to their second Gold will be on the agenda.
Golden Stars
Diego Lainez, 21.
The Real Betis midfielder who has featured for the Men’s National team since 2018 will look to add a touch of class to the proceedings in Japan.
Jose Macias Guzman, 21.
The Guadalajara-born and bred marksman; Guzman already has four goals in five matches for the Senior National side.
France
Mexico vs France 22nd July 2021 Tokyo Stadium
France vs South Africa 25th July 2021 Saitama Stadium
France vs Japan 28th July 2021 International Stadium
The Gaffer
Sylvain Ripoll – the former French under 21 national team player is now the French U21 coach, he has been at the helm since 2017.
Golden Stars
Pierre Kalulu, 21.
The AC Milan starlet will be going to his first Olympic Games and will be looking forward to the key battles ahead.
Alexis Beka Beka, 20.
From the Caen academy, Beka Beka is tall in stature, with a mature head for one so young. Wonderfully gifted with the ball at his feet, but with the work rate to go with it.
Group B
New Zealand
New Zealand vs South Korea 22nd July 2021 Kashima Stadium
New Zealand vs Honduras 25th July 2021 Kashima Stadium
Romania vs New Zealand 28th July 2021 Sapporo Dome
The Gaffer
Danny Hay – A former Leeds United player who became the first New Zealander to be offered a contract by a Premier League club.
Golden Stars
Michael Woud, 22.
The Almere City Goalkeeper formerly of Sunderland FC has the length and cat-like reflexes when it comes to shot-stopping and handling of the football.
Marko Stamenic, 19.
The Copenhagen midfielder gracefully glides over the pitch, with a range of passing to behold.
South Korea
New Zealand vs South Korea 22nd July 2021 Kashima Stadium
Romania vs South Korea 25th July 2021 Kashima Stadium
South Korea vs Honduras 28th July 2021 International Stadium
The Gaffer
Kim Hak-bum – A former bank teller, the 61-year-old manager has a plethora of experience to pass on to his team.
Golden Stars
Jeong Tae-wook, 24.
Playing in his native country for Daegu FC, Jeong Tae-wook has a graceful playing style but mixes it up with robust defending.
Lee Kang-in, 20.
Valencia snapped him up in 2018 and the South Korean has not looked back, immensely effective on the ball with a hawk’s eye in his passing ability.
Honduras
Honduras vs Romania 22nd July 2021 Kashima Stadium
New Zealand vs Honduras 25th July 2021 Kashima Stadium
South Korea vs Honduras 28th July 2021 International Stadium
The Gaffer
Miguel Falero – The Uruguayan has guided his team to two wins, two draws and one defeat in the last five matches, which gives the Hondurans steady optimism.
Golden Stars
Darixon Vuelto, 23.
Playing for Real Espana in Honduras, Vuelto has a knack for the sublime. A free-kick taker who knows where the goal is.
Denil Maldonado, 23.
This no holds barred defender loves a one-on-one battle. Maldonado puts his body on the line, a tackle is just like scoring a goal for the centre back.
Romania
New Zealand vs South Korea 22nd July 2021 Kashima Stadium
New Zealand vs Honduras 25th July 2021 Kashima Stadium
Romania vs New Zealand 28th July 2021 Sapporo Dome
The Gaffer
Mirel Radoi – A former goalkeeper in his youth and was an accomplished National team player. He is now in charge of the first team and the Romania U21s.
Golden Stars
Tudor Baluta, 22.
A player who stands tall when the going gets tough, but with meticulous long-range passing and tidy feet. Contracted to Brighton, but he has not made an appearance for the Seagulls.
Marius Marin, 22.
Signed by Pisa in 2019, the attacking midfielder has only looked forward. He brings flair, passion and has the temperament to grab the game by the neck.
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