However, the ultimate gold still remains tantalizing for Asia.

Once again, the traditional heavyweights Japan and South Korea believe they will have their shots, as the Olyroos have been widely believed as a strong contender who had showed their mettle by coming through a tough final qualifying campaign against Iraq, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and Lebanon.

Australian coach Graham Arnold, who led the senior team at last year's Asian Cup finals, believes his player will go further beyond the group stage.

"We know we can get through this group, we have history and also we have had such a tough schedule just to make it this far, which will hold us in good stead," he said.

China is in a group with Belgium, New Zealand and one of the title favorites Brazil.

Spurred on by its South American rivals, the five-time World Cup winner Brazil is going all-out to win its first Olympic soccer gold in Beijing, summoning its star player Ronaldinho to join in the squad.

"I feel very motivated and happy for having been summoned to the team," Ronaldinho said at a charity event. The Brazilian just finished his transfer from FC Barcelona to AC Milan with an initial payment of 21 million euros.

"My aim is now to prepare myself for the Olympic Games - an honour few players have received," the former Player of the World said.

The Brazilians have to get past their South American archival Argentina if they want to win the gold, and the Argentines have had the most success recently.

In addition to winning the gold in Athens, they also defeated Brazil in the semi-finals of the Under-20 World Cup in the Netherlands in 2005.

Unlike Brazil who can't have its top stars such as the FIFA Player of the Year Kaka to play, Argentina will be packed with talents in Beijing, including Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Juan Roman Riquelme and Javier Mascherano.

"The Olympic Games is something I will never be able to play in again and I am very excited at the prospect," Messi said.

The Beijing Olympics only allows footballers under the age of 23, except three over-age players for each side.

"There is no doubt that I will be there. I have really high hopes with the Olympic squad," Messi said, although Barcelona wanted him to play for the Champions League preliminary.

The Olympic soccer tournament starts on August 6 with the final on August 23, which overlaps the Champions League preliminary that initiates from August 12.

(Xinhua News Agency July 23, 2008)