Old ambitious about new debut

(BEIJING, July 1) -- Captain Steven Old of the New Zealand Men's Football team is ambitious about his team's Olympic debut in Beijing this summer.

At the tender age of 17, Old had represented his country in the Athens Olympic qualifiers, but the team was eliminated by neighbor Australia in a playoff game.

Since Australia has since joined the Asian Football Confederation and plays in Asia, New Zealand grabbed the excellent opportunity to win the only Olympic berth for Oceania by winning all five matches.

The New Zealanders will play Brazil, Belgium and tournament host China in their group. "I can't think of a more difficult first-up opponent than the hosts," Old was quoted as saying by FIFA.com.

But Old is aware of his team's strengths: "What we may lack technically, we'll make up for with our physical attributes, our fitness, We're going in how we want to go in."

Old also hopes his team's performance at the tournament will bring them opportunities to play football for European clubs. "There are quality players in the team who can make it to Europe," he said. "And they will make it, I believe."