Football
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Australia ready to 'shock the world' at Tokyo Games - Graham Arnold

Australia are ready to "shock the world" at the Olympic Games men's football tournament, says coach Graham Arnold.

The Olyroos open their campaign against Argentina in Sapporo on Thursday, with matches against Egypt and Spain to come in Group C.

"I expect these boys to do something special," Arnold told reporters on Tuesday, as the Olyroos return to the Olympics for the first time since 2008.

"They're ready to shock the world and put in some great performances for the country of Australia.

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"We come into this tournament with great expectations.

"In the past, over the last 20 years, it was seen as a success to just making the Olympics.

"But we're not here to make up the numbers. We're here to show the rest of the world what we can do and what I expect we will do.

"At this moment in Australia a lot of Australians are in lockdown with COVID and we want to put a smile on their faces."

Argentina won football gold at the 2004 and 2008 Olympics in Athens and Beijing when world superstars Carlos Tevez and Lionel Messi shone.

Asked about the star players in the Argentina line-up this time, Arnold said he was more concerned about his own players.

"Look, again, I expect some of our players to take the tournament by storm," Arnold said.

"We respect the opposition always. We look at the opposition, we know what their strengths are and we are ready to expose their weaknesses.

"The focus is more on our own performance, our own training sessions and that we're ready to play."

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